Pelosi on Iraq policy

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said congressional Democrats will stick to demands for some form of accountability from President George W. Bush in any legislation to pay for U.S. military operations in Iraq.
Lawmakers and Bush administration officials were unable to reach a compromise in negotiations last week on a funding measure. Bush and his aides said that there can be no timeline for a U.S. withdrawal in the legislation and each side blames the other for refusing to make concessions.
Lawmakers are trying to craft a measure that provides almost $100 billion for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and Democrats are seeking to impose restrictions on Bush's strategy. Congressional leaders have pledged to complete the legislation before taking a week-long Memorial Day recess that begins at the end of this week.
White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten said after the last round of negotiations May 18 that the Democrats ``seem to be dug in on presenting the same approach'' that the president already vetoed.
Pelosi said Democrats have demonstrated they are willing to work with Bush on his priorities, including trade and immigration.