The US President, Mr George W. Bush, called on world governments for deeper resolve and bolder action in the war on terrorism today as he marked the anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
"Any sign of weakness or retreat simply validates terrorist violence and invites more violence for all nations. The only certain way to protect our people is by united and decisive action," Mr Bush told representatives from 83 nations gathered in the White House East Room.
His remarks were in part a response to a pledge by the new leader in Spain, Mr Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, to withdraw 1,300 troops from Iraq if the country is not turned over to the United Nations.
Mr Bush said each attack was intended to "demoralize our people and divide us from one another" and that each attack must be met with "greater determination, deeper resolve and bolder action against the killers".
Mr Bush, who launched the Iraq war without broad international support, acknowledged the disagreements over Iraq but insisted they were in the past. Mr Zapatero this week said the war has been a disaster.
"There have been disagreements in this matter among old and valued friends," Mr Bush said. "Those differences belong to the past. All of us can now agree that the fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a source of violence, aggression and instability in the Middle East," he said.