President Bush Responds to Media Questions

During his first press conference of 2007, President Bush was asked a variety of tough questions from the media in attendance.

After addressing Iraq's new budget plan, urging Congress to show their support for the troops by maintaining their access to resources and flexibility overseas, and relaying a few details of the Beijing talks regarding North Korea, President Bush was ready to answer questions.

On Vladimir Putin and Current U.S./Russia Relations

Recently, Russia and the United States have not been in cahoots over the issue of NATO. President Bush mentioned that he believes Vladimir Putin is "the same strong-willed person" as he was before the recent disagreement. Whereas President Bush believes NATO to be a "positive, stabilizing influence," Putin does not. In a speech to his nation given on Saturday, Putin expressed his concerns about NATO.

Improvised Explosive Devices

An interesting question was posed: "How do we retaliate against Iran without risking war?"

President Bush responded.

What we do know:

• The Kuds force was instrumental in providing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to Iraq.
• The Kuds force is a part of Iranian government.

What we don't know:

• Whether or not the Iranian government ordered the action.

The President then posed the question of which is the better of two evils, the Iranian government ordering the action, or the Iranian government being unaware of the decision to provide IED's to Iraqi insurgents?

He expressed his point as being, "We know they are there and we will protect our troops." If we discover an agency supplied the IED's, we will deal with them accordingly.

War Against Iran?

Many have claimed that the entire Iran/IED situation was created in order to make a case for a war against Iran.

President Bush addressed this issue be reiterating his prior statement. He added that upon verifiable suspension of the activity, the United States is interested in engaging in dialogue with Iran.

Contradiction Between the President and U.S. Officials in Iraq on Iran

To follow-up the earlier Iran questioning, yet another question began. U.S. officials in Iraq have been quoted as saying that they do know the Kuds force was ordered to supply Iraqi insurgents with IEDs, and this contradicts the statement the President just made.

President Bush interrupted, stating, "I can't say it more plainly." He added, "There's no contradiction!" and to manufacture the idea that the Iranian government is providing IEDs is "preposterous."