US President George W. Bush met at the White House Tuesday with Australian Prime Minister John Howard for talks focusing on international security, the war on terror, and developments in Iraq.
At a White House ceremony ahead of their summit, Howard heaped praise on Bush for his leadership of the "war on terror." "The world needs an involved, committed, concerned United States years into the future," Howard said shortly after arriving at the White House.
"The world needs a president of the United States who has a clear-eyed view of the dangers of terrorism and the courage and the determination - however difficult the path may be - to see the task through to its conclusion.
"And in you, sir, the American people and the world have found such a leader and such an individual," Howard told Bush.
The US president praised Australia as one of America's closest allies, particularly in promoting peace, fighting terrorism and ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"Our two nations are closer than ever. And Americans admire Australians' strong leader. Australia has been on the front lines of every offensive in the war on terror," Bush said.
Talks between the two leaders were expected to be dominated by international security, the war on terror, and developments in Iraq.