BEIJING, April 5 -- US President George W. Bush says his country will still bear the burden of reconstruction costs in war-torn Iraq even as some of its coalition partners withdraw their forces.

    Bush told visiting Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko that he will push forward for "a free Iraq to emerge".

    Bush said it didn't bother him that Yushchenko is pulling his 1,650 troops out, following a campaign promise that Yushchenko made last year.

    He also promised to support Ukraine's bid to join the WTO by the end of this year and to seek to persuade Congress to lift remaining trade restrictions on Ukraine.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)