Washington, Apr 27: In a solemn address to a gathering of the capital's most influential journalists and their guests, President George W Bush paid tribute to reporters who died covering the war in Iraq. "Since we last gathered for this dinner we have lived through some extraordinary events. We have seen a dictator defy the world and we have seen a coalition of free nations give its answer," the President told the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner yesterday night. At least 13 journalists from around the world died covering the US invasion of Iraq and the ouster of its leader, Saddam Hussein.

In his address, Bush singled out two American reporters who died early this month in Iraq.

Kelly, 46, editor-at-large for the Atlantic monthly magazine and a syndicated Washington Post columnist, died on April 3 near Baghdad when the vehicle in which he was riding ran into a canal. The President called David Bloom, a 39-year-old reporter for NBC News and weekend anchor of the network's "Today" show, "the perfect man to carry viewers along on the charge to Baghdad."

Bloom died on April 6 from a blood clot while covering the war south Baghdad.

After the President's address the gathering was entertained by jazz legend Ray Charles. Bureau Report