Bush acknowledges Americans weary of Iraq war

By Steve Holland

FORT IRWIN, California (Reuters) - President George W. Bush admitted on Wednesday that Americans are weary of the Iraq war and defended his decision to send more troops to Iraq before a number of soldiers about to deploy there.

Dozens of camouflage-wearing troops sat quietly at their lunch tables, some joined by family members, as Bush spoke during a visit to this remote base in the high desert of California, where Iraqi-American actors train soldiers to understand Iraq's cultural differences.

"It's a tough war," Bush said in a subdued tone. "The American people are weary of this war."

Bush's comments reflected recognition of the unpopularity of the war, in which more than 3,200 U.S. troops have been killed, as he tries to persuade the Democratic-led U.S. Congress to approve about $100 billion (51 billion pounds) to fund wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without attaching a withdrawal timetable.

Defending his decision to add about 30,000 extra troops to Iraq, Bush said he wants to bring stability to Baghdad and avoid a spread of the conflict into the region that could endanger U.S. ally Israel.

"I had a choice to make," Bush said.

A number of the troops who listened quietly are from units about to rotate into service in Iraq.

Bush renewed his criticism of Democrats for trying to attach pullout timetable deadlines to the war funding legislation.