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M. Continuo

Bush says regrets tough guy talk on war


    LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush admitted on Wednesday that his tough rhetoric had given the world the impression was a "guy really anxious for war" and said he now wished he had used a different tone on the global stage.

    In an interview with The Times, Bush said his main aim inthe seven months before his presidency ends was to leave hissuccessor a diplomatic framework for tackling Iran.

    Bush voiced regret at divisions in the internationalcommunity created by the war in Iraq, adding: "I think that inretrospect I could have used a different tone, a differentrhetoric".

    He admitted that his use of phrases such as "bring them on"and "dead or alive" had "indicated to people that I was, youknow, not a man of peace".

    Bush, who is in Berlin on Wednesday for talks with GermanChancellor Angela Merkel about building pressure on Iran togive up its uranium enrichment programme, is due to fly on toRome, Paris and London to seek further support for the effort.

    Despite three rounds of sanctions by the U.N. SecurityCouncil, Iran has refused to stop enrichment. It says itsatomic programme is aimed at creating electricity rather thannuclear weapons.

    Bush told The Times he wanted to "leave behind a series ofstructures that makes it easier for the next president" totackle issues such as Iran's nuclear programme and establishinga Palestinian state.

    His successor, Bush said, is likely to stick to the currentpolicy after assessing "what will work and what won't work indealing with Iran". He urged the world to work together and"keep focused".

    Bush also offered supportive words for Prime MinisterGordon Brown, whom he is scheduled to meet on Sunday, and whois facing tough times at home with support for his Labour Partyand for his leadership fading fast.

    "(He is) plenty confident and plenty smart, plenty capable"Bush told The Times. "He can sort it out".

    (Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Catherine Evans)