Bush Says He's Impressed With Iraq Progress

WASHINGTON — President Bush had a nearly hour-long secure video teleconference with Iraqi leaders yesterday and came away impressed and reassured by the progress they're making on political, security and economic reforms, the White House said.

"It's clear that you've got an environment now where the key leaders are working together on these issues," during the 52-minute teleconference the president had with Iraq's prime minister, president and two vice presidents, White House press secretary Tony Snow said. Mr. Snow acknowledged that American officials have heard similar positive statements from Iraqi leaders before, but said: "We think they are very serious in moving on the key items. ... I think the president was impressed and reassured by the sense of seriousness that he heard."

Secretary of State Rice also was assessing the situation in Iraq in a meeting at the State Department with Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari during which they discussed security conditions in northern Iraq where neighboring Turkey is concerned about the presence of Kurdish rebels.

"We discussed the importance of not allowing Iraqi territory to be used for acts of terrorism against neighbors in this case, particularly against Turkey," Ms. Rice said.