Bush tells US to address oil addiction. 01/02/2006. ABC News Online

US President George W Bush says "America is addicted to oil" and must change its ways.

In his State of the Union speech President Bush promised aggressive US engagement around the world in defiance of critics.

President Bush has taken the centre stage in the House of Representatives chamber to map out an election-year agenda for Republicans, vowing to make progress in Iraq and provide a way to reduce soaring gasoline prices, two issues that have combined to batter his job approval ratings.

With oil prices close to record levels and Exxon reporting record profits of $US10.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005, the former oilman highlighted the need to improve technologies in order to reduce US oil imports.

"America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," President Bush said.

"The best way to break this addiction is through technology."

With three years left in office, President Bush is hoping to lift his political fortunes and those of his Republican allies in an election year with control of Congress up for grabs.

He is coming off one of the toughest stretches of his presidency, and his job approval ratings hover in the high 30s to low 40s in most polls.
Iraq

On Iraq, President Bush argued against those Democrats who have been calling for a timetable for a phased redeployment of US troops in Iraq, saying a "sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison".

"However we feel about the decisions and debates of the past, our nation has only one option: We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in its vital mission," he said.

On Iran, President Bush said "the world must not permit" Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon.

He said Iran is being "held hostage" by Islamic clerics and that the United States hopes one day to be friends with a free and democratic Iran.

President Bush laid down what might ultimately be conditions for US relations with Hamas, the Islamic militant group that won a stunning victory in Palestinian elections last week.

"The Palestinian people have voted in elections, now the leaders of Hamas must recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace," President Bush said.

- Reuters