Key excerpts: Bush interviews

Bush: These 'abhorrent' practices do not represent America

US President George Bush has been speaking to Arabic TV channels in an attempt to calm public anger over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.

He also insisted he continued to support the creation of a Palestinian state.

Key extracts from the interviews follow.

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Interview with Al-Hurra TV:

[On the abuses of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers]

People in Iraq must understand that I view those practices as abhorrent. They must also understand what took place does not represent America - a compassionate country that believes in freedom, a country that cares about every individual, a country that has sent troops into Iraq to help its citizens.

In a democracy, everything is not perfect - mistakes are made, but those mistakes are investigated... We are a society that is willing to fully investigate what took place. That stands in stark contrast to what happened under Saddam Hussein.

People will be brought to justice.

The first time I heard about the pictures was on TV. However in early Jan General Kimmitt talked about an investigation about alleged improprieties.

Our government has been in the process of investigating. First, in our system it's essential criminal charges go forward without prejudice. Second, we want to see how widespread these abuses are. We believe in transparency... that's what free societies do.

Of course I've got confidence in the Secretary of Defense [Donald Rumsfeld] and people on the ground. We're finding the few that wanted to stop progress toward freedom and democracy. We stand side by side with the Iraqis who love freedom. But people will be held to account.

We will do to ourselves what we expect of others

Of course we'll co-operate with the International Committee of the Red Cross. We do point out human rights abuses [in other countries] and we say 'clean up your act' and that's what we're doing. The actions of a few do not reflect the whole. The Iraqi citizens must understand that.

We will do to ourselves what we expect of others.

It is unpleasant for Americans to see that some soldiers have acted this way because it doesn't reflect how we think. America is a country of justice and law and freedom.

We're raising expectations. We believe the Iraqi can self-govern.

I've got confidence Iraq will be a peaceful, self-governing nation.

Terrorists and extremists will not be part of the government.

[On the anniversary of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein]

I think we've made a lot of progress in a year. I trust the Iraqi people - I believe they want to be free... and have a life that is peaceful.

There are normal aspirations in Iraq that give me great confidence.

The people of Iraq must understand that sovereignty will be transferred in June... and then there will be elections. I believe the timetable is realistic.

[On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict]

When you see a step toward peace, it's important... to embrace it.

I felt a withdrawal from the Gaza as well as the withdrawal from four settlements in the West Bank was a step toward peace. I called for the US and others in the Quartet to seize this moment to help the development of a Palestinian state that will be at peace with its neighbours.

I think this is a historic moment for the world. I am confident that a peaceful Palestinian state can emerge - I'm the first president ever to call for a Palestinian state.

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Interview with Al-Arabiya TV:

[On the investigation into the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers]

The system will be transparent. It will be open. People will see the result.

[On the reaction in the Arab world to images of the abuses]

Terrible.

But they will know the truth [from the investigation] just like the American people will know the truth.

[On the stand-off in Najaf with Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr]

I think he ought to be dealt with by the Iraqi people... who are tired of him occupying... the holiest of sites.

[On his plans for spreading democracy in the region]

We can promote freedom without the use of military force.

A free society does not have to look like an American society.