“We’ve acted robustly,” he said.

“We’ll see the effects of this pro-growth package,” Bush told reporters at a White House news conference. “I know there’s a lot of, here in Washington people are trying to _ stimulus package two and all that stuff. Why don’t we let stimulus package one, which seemed like a good idea at the time, have a chance to kick in?”

Bush’s view of the economy was decidely rosier than that of many economists, who say the U.S. is nearing recession territory or may already be there.

The centerpiece of government efforts to brace the wobbly economy is a package Congress passed and Bush signed last month. It will rush rebates ranging from $300 (euro198) to $1,200 (euro794) to millions of people and give tax incentives to businesses.

Bush also said Thursday that Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq should be limited _ and should end as soon as possible.

The current fighting has put the United States in a touchy position, as it is close allies with both Iraq and Turkey, and a long offensive along the border could jeopardize security in Iraq just as the U.S. is trying to stabilize the war-torn country.

“It should not be long lasting,” Bush said. “The Turks need to move, move quickly, achieve their objective and get out.”

He also said, though, that it is in no one’s interest for the Kurdish Workers Party or PKK to have safe havens.

Meanwhile, Bush rejected the idea of encouraging Cuba to open up democratically by sitting down for talks with new Cuban leader Raul Castro.

Asked at a White House news conference what would be lost by a meeting, Bush said: “What’s lost by embracing a tyrant who puts his people in prison because of their political beliefs? What’s lost is it will send the wrong message.”

“It will give great status to those who have suppressed human rights and human dignity. I’m not suggesting there is never a time to talk,” he said, but he added now was not the time to beginning discussions with Raul Castro.

“He’s nothing more than an extension of what his brother did, which was to ruin an island and to imprison people because of their beliefs,” Bush said.

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