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WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush talked to Australian Prime Minister John Howard today about the war in Iraq and last week's nuclear agreement with North Korea as well as the detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay Cuba.
Howard plans to press US Vice President Dick Cheney during a visit to Australia this week to ensure a speedy trial for Australian citizen David Hicks, 31, who has been in US custody at Guantanamo for five years and is charged with providing support for terrorism.
If convicted Australia and the United States have agreed Hicks can return to Australia to serve any prison sentence.
Bush and Howard discussed the detainee issue and "shared expectations of a fair and orderly process," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.
He said Bush thanked Howard for his country's support in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Australia has nearly 2000 personnel stationed. Howard has pledged that Australia will send up to 70 more instructors to help train Iraqi forces.
- REUTERS
