USA: President George W Bush press conference focusing on U.S. aid to Lebanon, Iran's threat, and violence in Iraq

An international force is urgently needed to keep peace on the Lebanese-Israeli border, U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday as he announced a $230 million aid package to Lebanon that includes 25,000 tons of wheat. "The need is urgent," Bush said of peacekeepers. He urged the forces "deploy as quickly as possible to keep the peace." The Lebanese government has estimated that the damage from the war will cost $3.6 billion to repair. A donors conference on humanitarian aid is set for Aug. 31 in Stockholm and a second meeting may be held to address Lebanon's shattered infrastructure. "America will do our part, it will assist the new international force with logistic support, command and control, communications and intelligence," Bush said. U.S. assistance will include $42 million to train and equip the Lebanese armed forces as well as a team to help mop up a massive oil spill from an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, before the slick spreads further along the eastern Mediterranean coastline. Between 10,000-15,000 tonnes of oil spilled into the Mediterranean Sea when Israeli jets hit storage tanks at the Jiyyeh power plant south of Beirut on July 13 and 15. The heavy fuel is spreading along 140 km (87 miles) of shore and threatening sensitive marine life. It is believed about 80 percent of the oil is on the coastline, 20 percent has evaporated and less than one percent is at sea. Bush also urged the international community to act at the United Nations to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and said there had to be a "consequence" for Tehran's actions. Iran is set to respond by Aug. 31 to a U.N. resolution to give up its nuclear enrichment program or face sanctions later on. "It's up to the international community, including the United States, to work in concert for effective diplomacy, and that begins at the United Nations Security Council," Bush said He said there had to be a "consequence" for Iran ignoring demands to give up its nuclear ambitions. Iran, which Bush also accused of stoking up violence in Lebanon, has indicated it will not give up its nuclear program. "We will see what their response is and we're beginning to get some indication but we'll wait till they give a formal response," Bush said. "Dates are fine but what really matters is will," he added. "I want to resolve this diplomatically," he said. On the crisis in Iraq, Bush said he was very concerned about talk of civil war but said that withdrawal from that country would be "absolutely wrong" and a "huge mistake". "This is the fundamental challenge of the 21st century. A failed Iraq would make America less secure," he said. "A failed Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will provide safe haven for terrorists and extremists," Bush added.

ITN Source | August 22, 2006

Tags:. .crisis. .assistance. .assist. .equip. .border