Washington, Mar 13: As part of his telephone diplomacy to seek support of nations ahead of a possible UN Security Council vote on Iraq, US President George W Bush spoke to Pakistan President Musharraf and discussed the issue.
Bush spoke to Musharraf yesterday morning "to discuss, among other things, Iraq," white house press secretary Ari Fleischer said, without revealing details of the discussion with the president of the non-permanant UNSC member country. "The president is going on the last mile for diplomacy. We shall see if the other nations on the Security Council are willing to entertain the last mile," Fleisher said.

According to Fleischer, in many of the phone calls, "Bush said if nations are not with US, he will be disappointed." President bush appreciated the efforts Britain was making, Fleischer added.

"The president and the Sheikh agreed that action should be taken for the benefit of peace and to help the people of Iraq," he added.

Gloria arroyo and Bush "agreed to continue to consult closely on how the united states can support Philippines further in the war against terror," he said.
Bureau Report