So was his insistence on denyingfundstothe "surge" that has worked sowell (ifbelatedly) inIraq, andhis determination towithdraw troops from the conflict according to a rigidtimetable.
Accordingto Kristol's source who was reportedly in the room, the President made absolutely clear hisdeterminationto stay the course in Iraq, without regard to election-year politics.
Accordingto some reports, at the meeting Zhu expressed his appreciation for the American decision and sought to show China's determination and sincerity to reach an overall agreement.