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Bush lauds Mongolia for democracy push

ULAN BATOR (Mongolia): U.S. President George W. Bush, buffeted by unrelenting criticism at home over Iraq, on Monday saluted Mongolia's ``fearless warriors'' for helping his embattled effort to establish democracy in the heart of West Asia.

``Mongolia and the United States are standing together as brothers in the cause of freedom,'' Mr. Bush told Mongolian troops and lawmakers in a speech. After two days in China partly aimed at nudging that communist country toward greater freedoms, Mr. Bush's stop here was meant to showcase the first communist country in Asia to turn toward democracy. Mongolia discarded communism 15 years ago; it holds democratic elections and allows Western-style freedoms.

``You are an example of success for the region and for the world,'' Mr. Bush said. ``As you build a free society in the heart of Central Asia, the American people stand with you.'' After the 13-minute speech, Mr. Bush ventured just outside the capital to sip fermented mare's milk and listen to the Central Asian art of throat singing. — AP

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