Bush calls four world leaders to talk about terrorism

CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush on Saturday thanked Thailand's prime minister for his country's help in capturing an alleged al-Qaida mastermind, and promised Indonesia's leader that information from the man's interrogation would be shared.

Bush, back here after a two-day California trip, talked with four world leaders Saturday morning, primarily discussing recent advances in the war on terror.

Besides exercising and doing projects on his ranch, Bush also received updates on the recent power outages, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

In his Saturday radio address, the president asked Congress to pass legislation making it easier for timber companies to cut trees, including larger ones, and brush in fire-prone forests, and to approve his requests for money to reduce the backlog of needed repairs in the nation's parks.

The suspected al-Qaida leader, Hambali, an Indonesian whose real name is Riduan Isamuddin, was arrested Monday in Thailand a raid conducted by Thai forces and CIA agents. He is now in U.S. custody in an undisclosed location.

He is believed to be the operational head of Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional terrorist network in Southeast Asia that is affiliated with al-Qaida and responsible for a string of bombings and plots around the region.

Malaysia and Indonesia have both expressed interest in interrogating Hambali about his role in attacks in those countries, including the October suicide bombings in Bali, Indonesia, that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Sharing intelligence

In a 10-minute call between Bush and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the two leaders agreed on the "importance of sharing information" from Hambali's U.S.-led interrogation, McClellan said.

Bush phoned Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to "express our appreciation for the role the Thais played in the capture of Hambali" and to praise Thai law enforcement, McClellan said.

Thaksin and Bush said they looked forward to more talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, set for Oct. 20-21 in Bangkok, that both are attending.

Bush also spoke briefly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, thanking him for Russia's cooperation in this week's arrests associated with a missile-smuggling operation.

Three men arrested Tuesday in New York and New Jersey are accused in a plot to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles that could shoot down a commercial airliner.

Putin is due to meet with Bush at his Camp David retreat in September.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela also called Bush Saturday.

Their about 10-minute conversation focused on efforts to battle the scourge of AIDS in Africa and developing countries elsewhere, McClellan said.

Bush has pledged to spend $15 billion over five years on AIDS programs in poor countries.

In his radio address, Bush argued that his recent appearances in the West, and more scheduled for the end of this week in Oregon and Washington, demonstrate his "commitment to good stewardship" of forests and national parks.

"Our system of national parks and forests is a trust given to every generation of Americans," he said. "By practicing good management and being faithful stewards of the land, our generation can show that we're worthy of that trust."

Bush's record has drawn fire from environmentalists. He rejected the Koyoto global warming treaty, reneged on a campaign promise to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant, and pushed for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.