Bush rejects overtures to Iran, Syria

U.S. President George W. Bush appeared to distance himself yesterday from key elements of a blue-ribbon panel's report on the war in Iraq, rejecting the idea of opening direct talks with Iran and Syria and resisting the idea of troop withdrawals until Washington's goals are met.

While admitting "it's bad in Iraq," Mr. Bush said that talks with Iran and Syria are possible only if the countries meet certain conditions. In the case of Iran, that means suspending a nuclear-enrichment program, and for Syria, stopping the flow of money to insurgents in Iraq and halting destabilization efforts in Lebanon.

"There should be no mistake in anybody's mind. These countries understand our position. They know what's expected of them," Mr. Bush said during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"And the truth of the matter is that these countries have now got the choice to make. If they want to sit down at the table with the United States, it's easy. Just make some decisions that will lead to peace, not to conflict."