Bush offers support for European force

US President George W Bush has expressed support for a European rapid reaction force, saying that he had received assurances from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair about its role. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Blair, Mr Bush said the force "makes a lot of sense". And Mr Blair said that the force would merely complement Nato and not undermine it. Mr Bush also said he was confident of persuading America's allies to accept his plans for a national missile defence system - the so-called "son of Star Wars".