Bush presses Congress on surveillance bill

The ongoing fighting has put the United States in a touchy position, as it is close allies with both Iraq and Turkey, and a long offensive along the border could jeopardize security in Iraq just as the U.S. is trying to stabilize the war-wracked country.

“It should not be long-lasting,” Bush said. “The Turks need to move, move quickly, achieve their objective and get out.”

He also said, though, that it is in no one’s interest for the PKK to have safe havens.

On Cuba
Asked what would be lost by meeting with new Cuban leader Raul Castro, Bush rejected the idea, stating: “What’s lost by embracing a tyrant who puts his people in prison because of their political beliefs? What’s lost is it will send the wrong message.”

“It will give great status to those who have suppressed human rights and human dignity. I’m not suggesting there is never a time to talk,” he said, but he added now was not the time to beginning discussions with Raul Castro.

“He’s nothing more than an extension of what his brother did, which was to ruin an island and to imprison people because of their beliefs,” Bush said.

On NAFTA and Democrats
Bush also criticized Democratic presidential candidates for suggesting the United States could “opt out” of the North American Free Trade Agreement if Canada and Mexico don’t agree to renegotiate the pact.

“There are a lot of farmers and businesses, large and small, who are benefiting from having a market in our neighborhood. And the idea of just unilaterally withdrawing from a trade treaty because of, you know, trying to score political points is not good policy,” Bush said during a White House press conference.

Bush also warned that congressional rejection of an unpopular free trade pact with Colombia would damage U.S. national security interests in the Latin American region and said he expected lawmakers to vote on the pact soon.

“The Colombia free trade vote is coming up,” Bush said.

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