WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- President George Bush says Australia is a partner of growing importance and the Australian-United States relationship is "a critical alliance."
Bush's remarks came Wednesday, on the eve of his trip to the Southeast Asia, which includes a stop in Australia.
Bush, during a White House interview this week with The Australian newspaper, said the relationship with Australia is " essential in the long war against terrorism."
Said Bush: "The great thing about Australians is they're not afraid. When I go to Australia I'll be speaking to a country which does understand the consequences of sacrificing for something greater than themselves."
Asked whether he saw Australia as the United States' sheriff's deputy in Southeast Asia, the President said: "No. We don't see it as a deputy sheriff. We see it as a sheriff. ... There's nothing deputy about this relationship."
Bush told The Australian his visit to Asia and Australia is "a chance for me to say thanks to a lot of nations for cooperating with America, for being friends with America" and also "to strengthen long-standing alliances".
