Bush Speaks to Bulgarian President About Keeping Troops in Iraq

[Cannikin]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush tried to keep an Iraq ally on board Saturday, receiving assurances that Bulgaria's troop commitment in the country remains strong despite threats by insurgents to kill two Bulgarians held hostages.
The phone call between Bush and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov took place as the Philippines announced it would withdraw its 51-member humanitarian contingent from Iraq as scheduled after its mandate ends Aug. 20.

In a tape aired by Al-Jazeera television minutes after the announced withdrawal, a Filipino hostage appealed to his country's president to withdraw the troops from Iraq. Philippine authorities subsequently said the Filipino hostage had been freed, but Iraqi militants later denied it.

The Philippines still could decide to renew its troops' mandate, and it was not clear if the withdrawal was acquiescence or defiance to the insurgents' demands. The Philippines was told to withdraw its troops within three days, a deadline expiring over the weekend.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBN5G33IWD.html

[pinto]

1. Bush refuses to speak at NAACP convention in Pennsylvania.

ooppps, sorry. off topic.