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| Bush addresses US economy fears |
| President George W Bush has admitted US economic growth is slowing, but in his final State of the Union address urged Americans to have long-term conf
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| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, 29-January-2008
3:34:32 AM |
| The president acknowledged that the US was facing "uncertainty".
A $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan negotiated with Congress would help, he said, and must be passed soon.
Mr Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war, and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated.
He called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad", although he said the US respected the country's people.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that while they agreed with Mr Bush on the need for a bipartisan approach, he "offered little more than the status quo".
"At a time when our economy is on shaky ground and our leadership around the world is eroding, the status quo won't do," they said in a joint statement.
Oil dependence
Mr Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty", but sought to reassure the nation.
"At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said.
But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth."
Mr Bush urged Congress not to expand the economic stimulus package beyond what had been agreed, or risk derailing it. He also urged lawmakers to make his tax cuts permanent.
Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Mr Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence.
"Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said.
Mr Bush also urged Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions.
He continued: "But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will protect our vital interests in the Gulf."
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