Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

US President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip after talks in Tallinn, Nov, 28, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    RIGA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday in Tallinn, capital of Estonia, that the sectarian violence in Iraq was not civil war but an effort by Al Qaida extremists to disrupt the democratic progress, according to news reaching here.

    Speaking at a news conference during a stopover in Estonia before heading to Latvia for a NATO summit, Bush said that the latest bombings in Iraq were part of a nine-month-old pattern of attacks by Al Qaida extremists aimed at fomenting sectarian violence by provoking retaliation.

    Referring to Iran's nuclear issue, Bush said that the idea of a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable, urging the country to halt uranium enrichment.

    If Iran was to be involved in fostering stability in neighboring Iraq, Bush said, "they ought to be involved in a constructive way."

    And while the Iraqi government was free to talk to Iran about helping end the violence, U.S. conditions for direct talks with Tehran remained unchanged, Bush said.

    Besides, the U.S. president also urged NATO countries to accept difficult assignments in Afghanistan, adding that members must provide the forces NATO military commanders require.

    The NATO summit, at which Afghanistan and NATO's transformation are set to be top agendas, will be held on Nov. 28-29 in the Latvian capital Riga.

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