President Bush is dismissing opposition to a proposed agreement on keeping US troops in Iraq. Criticism has mounted from Iraqi and US lawmakers as details have emerged over the past week. The Bush administration is seeking to permanently keep more than fifty military bases in Iraq. It’s also insisting on continuing military campaigns without consultation with the Iraqi government and immunity for American soldiers and contractors. Speaking in Germany Wednesday, President Bush called criticism from Iraqi and US lawmakers “noise in their system and our system.” Bush said the terms have been misunderstood and that he’s confident a deal will be reached.

President Bush: “And one of the lessons of Iraq is, is that in order for, you know, a democracy development or in order for an economy to develop, there has to be a measure of security, which is now happening. So I think we’ll get the agreement done.”