News agencies reported from Washington that President Bush and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia attended a joint press conference in the White House.

President Bush said in this conference: “We talked about Iran, and our joint commitment to continue to work together to see to it that the Iranians do not develop the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon…
The Prime Minister just defined his desire to help this young democracy in Iraq succeed.
I have said in my remarks there’s been substantial progress, and there has been. But it’s still a dangerous, fragile situation in Iraq. And, therefore, my decision will be based upon the recommendations of Secretary Gates, the Joint Chiefs, as well as General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker — all aiming to make sure that we have enough of a presence to make sure that we’re successful in Iraq. And the reason why it’s successful — important to be successful in Iraq, because, one, we want to help establish a democracy in the heart of the Middle East — the most volatile region in the world. Two, we want to send a clear message to Iran that they’re not going to be able to have their way with nations in the Middle East…”
Bush added: “It sounds like to me our foreign policy interests are aligned. The Prime Minister just defined his desire to help this young democracy in Iraq succeed. That’s what we’re for… The United States and friends will stand with these young democracies.
And so this is vital for our national interests. And I’m confident we can succeed, unless we lose our nerve; unless we allow politics to get in the way of making the necessary decisions…”