President Bush, Britain's PM Gordon Brown Praise Gains In Iraq, Condemn Iran

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, President George Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown both praised each other's efforts in the war and committed try to end Iran's uranium enrichment program. The two leaders praised what they said were gains in Basra and denied reports of strained relations since Brown took over as prime minister.

"I want to appreciate the sacrifice of the British troops, their families and the British people," President Bush said in the White House Rose Garden after holding talks with the Prime Minister earlier that day. "During the recent fighting in the Basra province, our nation's coordinated our support for the Iraqi security forces as they took on extremists and criminals. Most thankful for the brilliance of the British helicopter crews that fired under courage and helped evacuate wounded Iraqi soldiers."

"It's been difficult," the President added later on in response to a question. "It's taking longer than I anticipated. But it's worth it. A failure in Iraq would embolden al Qaeda, would give al Qaeda a huge victory, enable them to more likely establish safe haven in a wealthy country from which to launch attacks against us."

Brown heaped praise his American counterpart in his opening statement, and expressed optimism that the collaboration between the two nations would grow stronger.

"The world owes President George Bush a huge debt of gratitude for leading the world in our determination to root out terrorism, and to ensure that there is no safe haven for terrorism and no hiding place for terrorists," he said. "It's my profound belief that over many decades, no international partnership has served the world better than the special relationship between our two countries."

He then defended what some critics have reportedly said was Iraq's being an "open-ended war."

"There's no artificial timetable here," the Prime Minister said. "Let's not forget that Iraq is now a democracy, that democratic rights have been restored to the Iraqi people, that we're now building schools and hospitals, seeing economic development -- and I'm particularly referring to the area where we have responsibility, and that is Basra."

President Bush said he and the Prime Minister spoke about Iran and that "Our position is clear that we're going to work together, along with other nations, to make it abundantly clear to the Iranian regime that they must not have the capability of developing a nuclear weapon."

"Iran continues to defy the will of the international community, and we are agreed on the need to strengthen the sanctions regime and ensure that these sanctions are effectively implemented," Brown added.

Iran received international condemnation for its nuclear proliferation program, which it has said was for non-military purposes.

When asked if reports about the strained relationship between him and Brown especially compared with his close friendship with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush replied with a curt, "False."

"Look, if there wasn't a personal relationship I wouldn't be inviting the man to a nice hamburger. Well done, I might add," the President also said.