U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, meeting at the White House for talks emphasizing progress in Iraq despite the rising death toll, agreed today that there will be no timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces and vowed victory over insurgents attempting to prevent establishment of a democratic government. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, Bush said, "there's not going to be any timetable" for withdrawal. Al-Jaafari agreed, saying "This is not the time to fall back." Bush said he will continue the U.S. strategy in Iraq despite public opinion polls showing shrinking support for his policy. Al-Jaafari appeared to recognize the domestic pressure on Bush. "You have given us more than money," he said. "You have given us your sons and your daughters. … This is more precious than any other support we have received." More than 1,700 U.S. troops have died in Iraq, the majority of them since the end of hostilities aimed at toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein. Answering questions hours after the latest attack on a U.S. military convoy killed six soldiers, Bush conceded that it bothers Americans to see scenes of death and injury on television.
