NEW LONDON, (USA), May 21: President George W. Bush accused Europe on Wednesday of impeding US efforts to combat famine and poverty in Africa and beyond, increasing trans-Atlantic tensions already strained by the Iraq war.

At a rain-soaked commencement ceremony for the Coast Guard Academy, Bush also sought to reassure anxious Americans a day after the government raised its terror alert status to the second-highest level, citing the risk of attacks on American soil after bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

Less than three weeks after declaring aboard a US aircraft carrier that “we have seen the turning of the tide,” Bush said Al Qaeda’s “treachery continues” despite US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.But Bush insisted: “We’re making good progress.”

Some Democrats say Bush’s campaign to remove President Saddam Hussein in Iraq undercut the war against Al Qaeda, allowing the network accused of orchestrating the Sept 11, 2001, attacks to regroup.

The White House maintains the world is safer post-Saddam, though the Iraqi leader and his alleged weapons of mass destruction remain unaccounted for.

Bush used the address to highlight a more welcome side of US foreign policy — dominated since he came to office by two wars and trans-Atlantic tension over Iraq.

“America’s national ambition is the spread of free markets, free trade and free societies. These goals are not achieved at the expense of other nations,” Bush said.

Hoping to foster good will in regions deeply suspicious of US intentions, he said he would expand programmes that send American volunteers overseas and touted the newly created Millennium Challenge Account, which rewards developing countries that combat corruption, respect human rights and open markets.

But he also lashed out at European nations, urging them to “match their good intentions with real resources” to combat the spread of AIDS in Africa. Bush touted his own $15 billion plan to combat the pandemic, which he said he would sign into law next week.

“I will remind them that the clock is ticking,” Bush said.

The US president accused Europe also of undercutting efforts to feed starving Africans by blocking the use of genetically modified crops, which he said would “dramatically” boost productivity and provide food across the continent.

“Our partners in Europe are impeding this effort. They have blocked all new bio-crops because of unfounded, unscientific fears,” Bush said one week before a trip that will take him to Poland, France and Russia.

“This has caused many African nations to avoid investing in bio-technologies for fear that their products will be shut out of European markets. European governments should join — not hinder — the great cause of ending hunger in Africa,” he said.

The United States plans to sue the European Union unless it quickly opened its market to millions of dollars of genetically modified products.

Biotech crops are engineered to repel predatory insects and better withstand weed killers. Critics say they could endanger human health and cause unforeseen damage to the environment.—Reuters