Left I on the News

George Bush is in the middle of a press conference (with Nicolas Sarkozy). Asked about a possible double-standard with U.S. treatment of Burma vs. Pakistan, Bush replied (quoted from memory),

I just spoke with President Musharraf [ed. note: for the first time since the coup] and told him we want him to have elections as scheduled, and to take off his uniform.

Not one word about stopping the crackdown, releasing the thousands of prisoners, restoring the Constitution, etc.

Asked about differences between France and the U.S. on the invasion of of Iraq, Bush reminded the audience that both France and the U.S. supported U.N. resolution 1441, demanding that Iraq "disclose and disarm," and claimed that it was in support of that resolution that the invasion took place. No follow-up noting that both disclosure and disarmament had occurred took place (nor that 1441 did not authorize an invasion of Iraq).

Updated with exact quotes:

On Pakistan:

"I spoke to President Musharraf right before I came over here to visit with President Sarkozy. And my message was that we believe strongly in elections, and that you ought to have elections soon, and you need to take off your uniform. You can't be the President and the head of the military at the same time."

On Iraq:

"I just want to remind you that 1441 was supported by France and the United States, which clearly said to the dictator, you will disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences."

And, for a bit of "humor," this:

"If you lived in Iraq and had lived under a tyranny, you'd be saying, god, I love freedom -- because that's what's happened."

Of course, if you lived in Iraq and now you're dead, you probably aren't saying much about anything. And if you lived in Iraq and now you've been given the "freedom" to flee the country, I doubt the words "I love freedom" are coming to you either.

Further update: Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room" claims Bush said he told Musharraf that "emergency rule has to end." Go read the quote for yourself. He said no such thing.