President Bush says the United States must change its habits and reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

President Bush and King Abdullah of Jordan are discussing the Middle East peace process Tuesday at the White House.

President Bush has rejected the idea of meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro, saying such talks would be embracing a "tyrant."

President Bush is calling for Turkey to end its military operation against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq as soon as possible. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush talked about the Turkish offensive during a nationally broadcast White House news conference.

President Bush has urged the U.S. Congress to pass several bills, including controversial surveillance legislation that allows the U.S. government to monitor communications in connection with terrorism investigations.

President Bush says the United States is on a "mission of mercy" in Africa, and has called on the U.S. Congress to approve funding for development programs in the continent.

President Bush says Monday's general elections in Pakistan were fair and that he hopes the new government there will continue an anti-terrorism alliance with the United States. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says he will not step down, despite big opposition wins.

President Bush says the United States has no plans to build new military bases in Africa. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush is in Ghana where he is trying to head off concerns about the creation a new U.S. military command for Africa.

As President Bush visits Ghana during his six-day tour of five African nations, some Ghanaians say they hope his visit will mean increased aid and more trade with the United States. Naomi Schwarz has more from VOA's regional bureau in Dakar with additional reporting by Ruby Amable.

President Bush says he is backing independence for Kosovo because he believes it will bring peace to the Balkans. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports Russia and Serbia say Kosovo's unilateral declaration sets a dangerous precedent for separatist movements, worldwide.

President Bush says Cuban President Fidel Castro's decision to step down should be the start of a democratic transition on the island. Cuba's Communist party newspaper published a quote from Mr. Castro Tuesday, saying he will not accept another term as president. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has more on Mr. Bush's reaction.

President Bush is in Rwanda where he visited a memorial to the country's 1994 genocide against 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and politically-moderate Hutu. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush says America is boosting its support for African peacekeepers trying to end violence in Sudan.