Bush Denies Iraq-Vietnam Parallels

U.S. President George Bush Wednesday denied any parallels between the situation in Iraq and the Vietnam War.

Bush told a White House news conference he stands by his decision to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Bush said Iraq has a duly elected government making it politically different than Vietnam. He also talked about Iraq’s new leaders, praising Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his decision to join the political process.

Bush noted that not only was Maliki jailed by Saddam, but he was jailed by the United States.

This is a man who could have been really bitter, Bush said.

Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad Tuesday where he met with Maliki and his Cabinet.