'Bitter differences' on Iraq are over, says Bush

President George W. Bush said today the "bitter divisions" on Iraq that soured relations between the US and Europe are now over and admitted the abuse of prisoners in Iraqi jails had harmed the image of America.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and EU President, Mr Romano Prodi following a US-EU Summit held in Dromoland Castle, Co Clare today, Mr Bush said that America planned to fully withdraw from Iraq once the country was in a position to police itself.

And he said he was sick when he learned of what had happened in Abu Ghraib prison. "The action of those troops did not reflect what we think. And it did harm. It did harm because people in Ireland and elsewhere said 'this isn't the America we know, the America we believed exists'."

"Both leaders brought the issue up, as they should, and I assured them we would deal with the issue in a transparent way. Which stands in stark contrast to how a tyrant would deal with it.

"We are investigating and you will be able to see exactly what takes place. You will be able to see the legal process that unfolds."

US President George Bush meets President Mary McAleese at Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-On-Fergus earlier today. Photograph: AP

Mr Ahern said he had raised the issue with President Bush, as did the Irish President, Ms Mary McAleese, who said she shocked by the incidences of prisoner abuse in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay.

The Taoiseach said today was not the first time he had raised the issue, saying that it had been discussed during his visit to America for St Patrick's Day and also during the recent G8 summit.

"The President has given us comprehensive answers which both the Tánaiste, Minister Cowen and myself were very happy to hear his perspective on this. And I admire it. These things unfortunately happen. Of course we wish they didn't but they do. What is important then is how they are dealt with," he said. "The questions were answered to our satisfaction."

With all three leaders emphasizing the strength and importance of the transatlantic relationship, Mr Bush said he could understand why people were disquieted with the decision to invade Iraq.

"Nobody likes war," he said. "Let me remind you - there is a resolution out in the United Nations called 1441 which was voted on unanimously where the world said: 'disclose, disarm or face serious consequences'. And Saddam Hussein, deceived, he didn't allow the inspectors to do their job."

Asked about America's exit strategy in Iraq, Mr Bush said: "We will be turning over full sovereignty to the Iraqi people on June the 30th. That means complete, full sovereignty, the Iraqi Government will now make the decisions."

He said the timescale for such a withdrawal was in the hands of the interim Iraqi administration. The faster Iraq could demonstrate it was capable of providing its own security, the faster American forces could withdraw.

With this in mind, Mr Bush said he hoped NATO states would react positively to a US request for help in training Iraqi security forces. "NATO has the capability and I believe the responsibility to help the Iraqi people defeat the terrorist threat facing their country."

Part of this strategy would focus on removing the underlying conditions that terrorists try to exploit for their advantage.

President Bush said free countries are peaceful countries. "The best way to defeat terror as a tool to promote a sick ideology is to promote freedom around the world and that was one of the key initiatives we discussed today, which was to promote democracy and stand with the reformers of the broader Middle East."

Asked whether he was concerned by his unpopularity in Europe, Mr Bush said the first polls he would worry about would be the results of the US presidential election in early November. "I care about the image of our country. We have a country that has got 2.5 trillion dollars worth of trade with the EU. Obviously something positive is happening."

"I don't like it when the values of our country are misunderstood because of the actions of some people overseas. As far as my own personal standing goes it is my job to do my job. And we'll do it the way I think is necessary. I will set a vision. I will lead. And we will let the chips fall where they may."

And he committed himself along with the Taoiseach  and Mr Prodi made to see Europe and America work together for global prosperity, growth and security.