Bush refuses to rule out military strike on Iran

"Listen, first of all, you never want a president to say 'never.' But military action is certainly not it's never the president's first choice," Bush said Friday. "Diplomacy is always the president's first at least my first choice."

Bush sat down for a series of broadcast and newspaper interviews with correspondents from Russia, France, Belgium, Slovakia and Germany in connection with his five-day trip to Europe next week to repair relations damaged by the US-led invasion of Iraq. "We have a tendency in Europe and in America to talk past each other," Bush said. He said he wanted to "invigorate a relationship that is a vital relationship for our own security ...."

Asked what it would take to mend relations with French President Jacques Chirac, one of his toughest critics, Bush said: "Obviously nice words are nice, but deeds are more important than words. I personally don't feel bitter."

He said the United States and France had big differences over Iraq, "but now is the time for us to set aside that difference and to move forward in areas where we can work together."

Bush said he would talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin about actions widely viewed as a retreat from democracy. "I mean, he's done some things that (have) concerned people," he said.

But he also emphasized that he has "a good relationship" with Putin and would talk with him "in a friendly way" about Western values based on the rule of law, openness, freedom of expression and checks and balances in government.

Bush also said he would join Putin in Moscow on May 9 when Russia marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Speaking of US relations with Moscow, Bush said: "There is still some distrust between the countries but not at the leadership level. In other words, I think he feels there are some people in our government that are anti-Soviet, that have an anti-Soviet bias, and therefore hold it against Russia."

Bush said he would ask Putin's help in dealing with Iran because Moscow has influence in Tehran. In Moscow, Putin said Russia would continue its nuclear cooperation with Iran and that he is convinced Tehran does not intend to develop nuclear weapons.

Bush also said he disagrees with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder over the future role of Nato.

At a security conference in Munich last weekend, Schroeder suggested a move away from Nato as a place to coordinate policy, saying the alliance "is no longer the primary venue where trans-Atlantic partners discuss and coordinate strategies."

"I disagree," the president said. "I think Nato is vital. And I think it's a vital relationship and one that we'll work to keep strong."

There were repeated questions about whether the United States would attack Iran. One correspondent cited an opinion poll showing that 70 percent of Germans believe the United States is planning military action against Iran.

"I hear all these rumors about military attacks, and it's just not the truth," Bush said.

He said he supports European nations' efforts to persuade Iran to scrap its uranium enrichment program in exchange for technological, financial and political support.