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WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush vetoed legislation today that would force him to begin withdrawing US combat troops from Iraq this year, setting up a new showdown with Democratic leaders in Congress over funding the war.
"Setting a deadline for withdrawal is setting a deadline for failure, and that would be irresponsible," Bush said in a nationally televised speech shortly after issuing only the second veto of his presidency.
Bush's rejection of the legislation came on the four-year anniversary of his 2003 speech announcing the end of major combat operations in Iraq beneath a "Mission Accomplished" banner, an event roundly condemned by war critics.
"Stop the war now," shouted a protester outside the White House gate.
Bush vetoed a US$124 ($169.28) billion bill to fund wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a stiff arm to attempts by Democrats who control the US Congress to force him into a shift in strategy in the unpopular war.
Under the legislation, which won the support of only four Republicans in Congress, American troop withdrawals would begin as early as July 1 and no later than Oct. 1, with the nonbinding goal of removing all combat troops by March 31.
Democrats concede they do not have the votes to override Bush's veto, putting more pressure on both sides to compromise.
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives planned to hold a veto override vote on Wednesday, and Bush invited congressional leaders to the White House that day to discuss next steps.
Bush vetoed the bill with a pen given to him by Robert Derga, the father of Marine Reserve Corp. Dustin Derga of Columbus, Ohio, who was killed in Iraq's Anbar Province on May 8, 2005. Derga had asked Bush to use the pen for the veto, said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
Democrats who manoeuvred their bill through narrow majorities in the House and the Senate marked the four-year war anniversary by sending their bill to the White House with last-minute appeals to Bush to sign it.
At a bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the measure "respects the wishes of the American people to end the Iraq war".
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada pointed to the April death toll of US troops in Iraq, more than 100, as evidence of a need to change course.
"Reality on the ground proves what we all know: A change of course is needed," he said.
- REUTERS
