People will soon be thanking Bush

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that despite President Bush’s low approval ratings, people will soon “start to thank this president for what he’s done.”

“So we can sit here and talk about the long record, but what I would say to you is that this president has faced tougher circumstances than perhaps at any time since the end of World War II, and he has delivered policies that are going to stand the test of time,” Rice said.

The secretary of state brushed off reports that suggest the United States’ image is suffering abroad. She praised the administration’s ability to change the conversation in the Middle East.

“This isn’t a popularity contest. I’m sorry, it isn’t. What the administration is responsible to do is to make good choices about Americans’ interests and values in the long run — not for today’s headlines, but for history’s judgment,” she said.

“And I am quite certain that when the final chapters are written and it’s clear that Saddam Hussein’s Iraq is gone in favor of an Iraq that is favorable to the future of the Middle East; when the history is written of a U.S.-China relationship that is better than it’s ever been; an India relationship that is deeper and better than it’s ever been; a relationship with Brazil and other countries of the left of Latin America, better than it’s ever been …

“When one looks at what we’ve been able to do in terms of changing the conversation in the Middle East about democracy and values, this administration will be judged well, and I’ll wait for history’s judgment and not today’s headlines.”

Asked by CBS’ Rita Braver why some former diplomats say Americans are disliked around the world, Rice said that’s “just not true.”

“I know what U.S. policy has achieved. And so I don’t know what diplomats you’re talking to, but look at the record,” she said.Rice said she wasn’t bothered by criticism about her or the administration’s polices, saying if a person in her business is not being criticized, “you’re not doing something right.”

“I’m here to make tough choices, and this president is here to make tough choices, and we have. And yes, I — there are some things that I would do very differently if I had it to do over again. You don’t have that luxury. You have to make the choices and take the positions that you do at the time,” she said.

Pak troop build-up reports worrying

In the face of escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the United States has reacted with concern to reports that Pakistan was massing troops along India’s border. U.S. military leaders have been urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. U.S. intelligence and military officials were still trying to determine if the reported troop movements were true.

A key concern for U.S. officials is that some of those troops may have been stationed along the volatile Afghan border, and were being diverted to the Indian side.”We urge both sides will avoid taking steps that will unnecessarily raise tensions during these already tense times,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

US military leaders have been urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in the wake of the Mumbai attacks that many believe originated with Pakistan-based militants.US intelligence and military officials were still trying to determine if the reported troop movements were true, and, if so, what Pakistan’s intent may be. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

One senior military official today said that the US is monitoring the issue, but still could not confirm assertions from Pakistani intelligence officials that some 20,000 troops were on the move, heading to the Indian border.

A key concern for US officials is that some of those troops may have been stationed along the volatile Afghan border, and were being diverted to the Indian side. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Mullen, who have both been in the region in recent weeks, have expressed the hope that Pakistan would stay focused on fighting militants in its mountainous northwestern areas.

There was also no indication today that either Gates or Mullen had reached out to their counterparts in Pakistan since these latest reports had surfaced.Johndroe added that, “We continue to be in close contact with both countries to urge closer cooperation in investigating the Mumbai attacks and in fighting terrorism generally.”