Washington - The Iraqi offensive against Shiite militias in the southern city of Basra is a "defining moment" in the country's future, US President George W Bush said Friday. "Any government that presumes to represent a majority of people must confront criminal elements or people who think they can live outside the law," Bush said after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"This is a defining moment in the history of a free Iraq," Bush said. "There have been other defining moments up to now, but this is a defining moment, as well."
Bush expressed no concern over Rudd's plan to follow through on a campaign pledge and withdraw Australia's 550 troops from Iraq this summer, noting the United States has also withdrawn troops on a "return on success" basis.
"The prime minister kept a campaign commitment which I appreciate," Bush said. "I always like to be in the presence of somebody who does what he says he's going to do."
Rudd ousted a close ally of Bush, John Howard, in November elections. Rudd, however, assured Bush that Australia remains committed to the fight in Afghanistan and will keep troops in a combat role.
"We are in Afghanistan for the long haul," Rudd said. "It's a tough fight and we intend to be there."
Rudd also said Australia will work to train Iraqi farmers to help boost agriculture, citing his country's expertise in growing crops on arid land.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched the assault on Basra, a key port city on the Gulf, to root out militias affiliated with radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr who had effectively controlled the city.
Bush has accused Iran of backing the militias and said prevailing in Iraq was crucial to showing the Islamic state "that they are not going to be able to have their way with nations in the Middle East."
Bush and Rudd also discussed the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the six-nation nuclear talks with North Korea and the effort to combat climate change.
Rudd was on his first major trip abroad since becoming prime minister. He and Bush were to have lunch and Rudd was to head to New York for a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He intends to push for permanent Security Council seats for Japan and India.
He will also be making stops in Europe to meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and attend to the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania. He will visit China during the final stop of the tour.
