WASHINGTON, June 6: US President George W. Bush has said that he will not condone torture to protect America, even if it means losing information about an imminent attack.

In an interview with radio and television news directors, Mr Bush posed “an interesting ethical dilemma,” using as an example a top Al Qaeda operative captured last month in Pakistan.

“If you’re in my shoes, and you thought Abu Farraj al-Libbi had planned an attack on America, would you use any means necessary to get the information from him?” Mr Bush asked. “The decision I have made is ‘No, we will not.’ And let’s just pray he doesn’t have that information. And when I told the American people we’re not torturing, we’re not torturing.

“But try that on for an interesting ethical dilemma as the president of the United States,” he added.

Mr Bush also revealed a sensitive side, admitting he’s often reduced to tears when he meets families of fallen soldiers.

Mr Bush said “my obligation” to visit family members is the hardest part of his job.

“I’m a crier, and I weep a lot,” he acknowledged. “On the other hand, when it’s all over, I feel incredibly strengthened by the strength of the parents or the wife or the kids.”

Mr Bush added that his biggest worry these days is “people losing their lives in Iraq, both Americans and Iraqis.”

He also worries about his twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, but not about first lady Laura Bush. “I used to worry about my wife until she hit an 85 per cent popularity figure,” he said. “Now she’s worried about me.”

“The good news? I’m sleeping pretty good ... There’s times when I hadn’t been. I’ve got peace of mind.”