Bush makes Christmas Eve calls to troops in Iraq

WASHINGTON - President Bush on Friday made Christmas Eve telephone calls to U.S. troops in Iraq to thank them for their sacrifice following a deadly suicide bombing at a U.S. base.

Bush called 10 troops, including six in Iraq, "to express his gratitude for their service and sacrifice and to wish them all a merry Christmas and happy holidays," White House spokesman Ken Lisaius said.

Bush made the calls from the Camp David presidential retreat.

The president acknowledged earlier this week that the training of Iraqi police and armed forces to take over responsibility for the country's security has been difficult.

While Bush thanked troops by phone, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld paid a surprise Christmas visit to Iraq on Friday to see victims of the suicide bombing at a U.S. base in Mosul and troops who stormed the city of Falluja last month.

Rumsfeld's visit came after weeks of controversy over his handling of the war and perceived lack of sensitivity to U.S. forces and their families.

Tuesday's suicide bombing killed 22 people, 18 of them Americans.

- REUTERS