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Bush vetoes troop withdrawal bill Bush vetoes troop withdrawal bill
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush has vetoed a Congressional bill that would have linked war funding to a timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.US President George W Bush has vetoed a Congressional bill that would have linked war funding to a timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
The leaders of the Democrat-controlled US Congress signed the controversial bill earlier Tuesday. Speaking in Washington after signing the veto, Mr Bush said setting a deadline for withdrawal would be "setting a date for failure" in Iraq.
Signing the bill, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid urged Mr Bush to "listen to the American people". He said the funding was needed to give time for the new strategy of a surge of reinforcements in Baghdad to succeed.
Congress agreed to $100bn (£50bn) in further funding on condition US combat troops begin to withdraw this year. Mr Bush said he would seek a compromise with Congressional leaders.
It is only the second time since taking office that Mr Bush has used the presidential veto.It is only the second time since taking office that Mr Bush has used the presidential veto.
Speaking in Florida, where he has been visiting the headquarters of US Central Command, Mr Bush warned that withdrawing troops too early could turn Iraq into a "cauldron of chaos". Earlier on Tuesday, leaders of the Democrat-controlled US Congress signed the controversial bill agreeing to $100bn (£50bn) in further funding on condition US combat troops begin to withdraw this year.
"Success in Iraq is critical to the security of free people everywhere," he said. Mr Bush criticised the bill, saying it "substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgement of our military commanders.
"I believe setting a deadline for a withdrawal would demoralise the Iraqi people, would encourage killers across the broader Middle East, and send a signal that America will not keep its commitments," he said in a televised speech.
Compromise talksCompromise talks
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr Reid signed the bill at a televised news conference on Capitol Hill. The veto is the latest stage in Mr Bush's clash with Congress over the conduct of the Iraq war.
"With the benchmarks to hold the Iraqi government accountable, this legislation respects the wishes of the American people to end the Iraq war," Ms Pelosi said. Signing the bill at a televised news conference on Capitol Hill, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "this legislation respects the wishes of the American people to end the Iraq war".
Pointing to the high death toll for US troops in Iraq last month, Mr Reid said it was time for Iraq to take responsibility for its future. Pointing to the high death toll for US troops in Iraq last month, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid said it was time for Iraq to take responsibility for its future.
"We renew our call to President Bush. There is still time to listen to the American people. There is still time to sign this bill and change course in Iraq," he said.
The Senate last week voted 51 to 46 in favour of the legislation, which says the pull-out must start by 1 October and sets a target of completion by 31 March 2008.The Senate last week voted 51 to 46 in favour of the legislation, which says the pull-out must start by 1 October and sets a target of completion by 31 March 2008.
Mr Bush is expected to meet congressional leaders on Wednesday to try to reach a compromise on a revised funding bill for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Bush will now meet congressional leaders on Wednesday to try to reach a compromise on a revised funding bill for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Revised legislation would have to be agreed by both the House and the Senate before being presented to him again.Revised legislation would have to be agreed by both the House and the Senate before being presented to him again.
House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republicans would oppose "any bill that includes provisions that undermine our troops and their mission".House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republicans would oppose "any bill that includes provisions that undermine our troops and their mission".
'Publicity stunt''Publicity stunt'
Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of a speech in which Mr Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over, standing beneath a banner proclaiming "mission accomplished".Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of a speech in which Mr Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over, standing beneath a banner proclaiming "mission accomplished".
Speaking before the signing of the bill, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino accused the Democrats of cynically delaying the move so it would coincide with the anniversary for political gain.Speaking before the signing of the bill, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino accused the Democrats of cynically delaying the move so it would coincide with the anniversary for political gain.
"It's very disturbing to think that they possibly held up this money for the troops and the troops' families and the resources they need to try some PR stunt on this day," Ms Perino said."It's very disturbing to think that they possibly held up this money for the troops and the troops' families and the resources they need to try some PR stunt on this day," Ms Perino said.
Mr Bush is committed to his "surge" strategy, under which thousands of extra US troops are being poured into Baghdad.Mr Bush is committed to his "surge" strategy, under which thousands of extra US troops are being poured into Baghdad.
The top US general in Iraq, David Petraeus, has said reducing forces could lead to increased violence.The top US general in Iraq, David Petraeus, has said reducing forces could lead to increased violence.