Pressured Bush agrees to talks on Iraq bill

US PRESIDENT George W Bush, under growing political pressure, agreed last night to negotiate with Congress on a war-spending bill that sets benchmarks for progress in Iraq.

The turnabout in Mr Bush’s position came as Republicans expressed anxieties about the war and the House was expected to pass legislation late last night that would cut off funding for US troops as early as July.

Mr Bush said he would veto the measure.