US President George W. Bush hosted his "friend" Premier Silvio Berlusconi at the White House on Tuesday, praising him as a "strong leader" who has "brought stability to the Italian government."
Speaking at a joint news conference after a working breakfast and private talks, Bush said: "Every time I meet with the Premier my spirits are raised because he is such a positive, optimistic person."
The highlight of Berlusconi's three-day visit to the US will be a speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday but Bush's praise will serve to boost the premier's chances of winning the April 9 general election.
His centre-right coalition is lagging the centre-left Union alliance led by former European Commission President Romano Prodi by at least four percentage points in most domestic polls.
Fielding a question on the change in relations with Italy if the opposition win the election, Bush quipped: "My relationship is not a political relationship with this man. It's a strategic relationship. And this strategic relationship is important for both our peoples, and it's important to help lay the foundations for peace. Okay?"
Pressed for an answer, the president said his relationship with Berlusconi was based upon "mutual trust."
"I have found Silvio to be a person of his word. Look, sometimes we don't agree, but at least you know where he stands."
Referring to post-war Italy's reputation for short-term governments, Bush stressed the need for stability.
"There's a practical reason why it's important to have stability. Because if a government is changing every year, it requires a person in my position to constantly have to reacquaint yourself. And that's what I meant by stability. It's much easier to make common policy when you're dealing with a person from one year to the next."
The talks covered a range of international issues, including the war on terror, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Bush said he had also sought Berlusconi's opinion on Iran's nuclear programme, calling their talks "very
constructive." Berlusconi confirmed that Italian troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year, saying this would be possible because the allies have been training Iraqi soldiers so that the government will be "able to guarantee the security of its people through their own forces."
On Wednesday, Berlusconi becomes the fourth Italian leader to address a joint session of Congress, after Alcide De Gasperi in 1951, Bettino Craxi in 1985 and Giulio Andreotti in 1990.
Berlusconi's aides said the speech would focus on the values of democracy and touch on bilateral relations and foreign issues, including the war against terrorism. On Wednesday evening, Berlusconi is feted in New York when he will receive the Intrepid Freedom Award, presented to a national or international leader who has "distinguished himself in promoting and defending the values of freedom and democracy."
Past recipients include former British premier Margaret Thatcher, former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton and late Israeli premier Yitzhak Rabin.
In Rome, Prodi said Berlusconi's visit had been "carefully planned" to serve as "a publicity ploy" and a campaign "electoral advertising spot."
Prodi also joked that the president was hosting a "good-bye party" for Berlusconi since he is destined to lose
the election. Berlusconi quipped back that it was really "Prodi's funeral."
