WASHINGTON, Jan 17: Reiterating that America honors the Muslim faith, President George Bush has said that the United States would continue to work on a public diplomacy effort to explain American motives and intentions.

In a response to a question in the Washington Post interview, the U.S. President said "we've got to continue to do a better job of explaining what America is all about."

"That, in our country you're free to worship as you see fit, that we honor the Muslim faith, and that if you choose not to - we don't want territory, we want there to be freedom."

"And I've talked to Condi [Rice, the nominee for secretary of state] about this, and she agrees that we need to work on a public diplomacy effort that explains our motives and explains our intentions."

The Post: How concerned are you about the enormously high levels of anti-Americanism, particularly in the Muslim world? And is that an indication that somehow the terrorists are winning the hearts and minds of those people?

President Bush said, "Well, you know, it's interesting. The people of Afghanistan, which is a part of the Muslim world, are really happy that the government of the United States, along with others, liberated them from the Taliban."

"I suspect that people in the Muslim world, as we speak, are thrilled that supplies are being delivered by U.S. servicemen and women. The Iranians - the reformers in Iran are, I suspect, very hopeful that the United States government is firm in our belief that democracy ought to spread. In other words, there are some places we're not popular, and other places where we're liked."

"I also believe that some of the decisions I've made up to now have affected our standing in parts of the world. I remember in the debates, somebody asked me about Europe.

And I said, well, they wanted us to join the International Criminal Court, and I chose - I said, that's not the right posture for the United States of America, or some saying I should have negotiated with [Yasser] Arafat for the four years I was president and I chose not to because I didn't feel like he was a person who could deliver peace."

"I called Abu Mazen the other day, and I told him I'm looking forward to seeing him again and working with him. So I believe that when it's all said and done, those in the Muslim world who long for peace will see that the policies of this government will lead to peace."

The Post: Our allies have done all they can do to help catch Osama?

Mr Bush: We're on the hunt.

The Post: Do you think others are on the hunt, too? Are you happy, content with what other countries are doing in that hunt?

Mr Bush: Yes.

The Post: Anyone you're not happy with?

Mr Bush: Look, bin Laden is elusive. And I can't think of anybody in the world who is our ally who isn't willing to do what is necessary to find him. -APP