US: US President Mr George Bush used the occasion of a summit with European leaders yesterday to warn Iran against developing nuclear weapons, writes Conor O'Clery.
He also made one of his strongest condemnations of the Palestinian organisation Hamas, saying there would be no peace until it was dismantled.
After the one day of talks in the White House, both sides emphasised the need for transatlantic relations to be fully restored after the bitter disagreements over the US-led war against Iraq.
"When Europe and United States are united, no problem and no enemy can stand against us," said Mr Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission.
"If we fail to unite, every problem may become a crisis and every enemy a gigantic monster." The talks were "very frank" and the sides discussed "sharp differences" but they were also "very productive" said European Council President, Mr Costas Simitis, Prime Minister of Greece.
In a marked effort to heal divisions over Iraq, both sides underlined heightened agreements to curb funding to terrorist organisations and expand the number of offences for extradition.
The extradition agreement, which stipulates that the death penalty should not apply to suspects handed over to the US, was the first agreement on legal co-operation that the US as an entity had signed with a third country," said Mr Simitis.
Referring to US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld's pre-war comment about "old Europe", Mr Prodi said to Mr Bush: "Many people have said that Europe is too old. Maybe, but the old age helps us to understand our strength and our weakness and the reality of the world.
"And so, I say that we - if we stay alone, President, Europe is too old and the United States too young (laughter) to be able to bring peace in this world. And it is our duty to stick together to bring peace to the world."
Mr Bush replied: "Well, thank you, Roman. You're looking pretty young these days."
The President's stiff warning to Iran and Hamas came at the same White House event billed as a "press conference" but where the President dictated there should be only one question to each leader.
When Mr Prodi was asked what he thought the US would do if Iran did not allow full inspection of its nuclear site by the International Atomic Energy Commission, Mr Bush interrupted to say: "Iran must comply. I mean, the free world expects Iran to comply. Just leave it at that. We believe they will when the free world comes together." As Mr Prodi began speaking again Mr Bush interjected once more, to say: "And if they don't, we'll deal with that when they don't." Later Mr Simitis told journalists that despite Mr Bush's menacing tone, there was no discussion with the American side about the possible use of force against Iran. "The EU wanted transparency from Iran, he said. "This has to happen. All of us should insist that international law be applied," he said, referring to the commission's demand for full inspection of Iran's nuclear facility.
Mr Bush demanded that European countries cease financial support for Hamas, something France has declined to do.