London: Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has accused former US president George W Bush of 'not telling the truth' in his memoirs over claims that he broke his word over support for the Iraq invasion.
In his book, Decision Points, published this week, Bush writes that he told Schroeder in an Oval Office meeting on 31st January 2002 that he was determined to make diplomacy work but he would invade Iraq if all else failed.
He quotes Schroeder as saying: "What is true of Afghanistan is true of Iraq. Nations that sponsor terror must face consequences. If you make it fast and make it decisive, I will be with you."
Bush writes that he put a 'high premium on trust' and Schroeder was guilty of betrayal.
"Once that trust was violated, it was hard to have a constructive relationship again."
Schroeder responded to Bush's claims, accusing him of 'not telling the truth'.
In a statement, he confirmed that he had told Bush he would 'stand reliably on the side of the US' if it was confirmed that Iraq was sheltering those responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"But this link, as it became clear during 2002, was false and contrived. This goes for reasons (for the invasion) given by Bush and (then vice-president Dick) Cheney too.
He adds: "As we know today, the Bush administration's reasons for the Iraq war were based on lies."