DAR AL HARB - AUSTRALIA: RUPERT MURDOCH ON BUSH, JIHAD AND BRIBES IN INDIA

Murdoch on Bush, Islam and bribes in India

RUPERT Murdoch has held little back on US President George Bush's lack of media skills, the rise of militant Islam and the spread of nuclear weapons.

Mr Murdoch also told of attempts to obtain bribes from him in India.

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He told the 500 or so businessmen and women he was optimistic about and believed issues such as "alleged climate change" and the integration of China and India into the world economy were manageable.

He pinpointed the rise of militant Islam and nuclear proliferation, particularly in Iran, as the biggest threats.

"The two (challenges) that none of us have any answer for that I know of is the rise of militant Islam and the proliferation of nuclear weapons," Mr Murdoch said. "I wouldn't discount at all the dangers of nuclear proliferation.

"If Iran gets away with it, there will be another half a dozen countries going hell for leather to get in the same race."

Mr Murdoch added that if troops were pulled out of Iraq, and the US was perceived as losing the war, more strife would erupt in the Middle East.

"I think if we were seen to be defeated, I think you would have civil wars, tremendous problems in the Middle East and things will be very much worse for everybody," he said. Mr Murdoch, 76 last month, told the audience how he supported US President George Bush and in personal meetings found him articulate and strong.

But Mr Murdoch said the President did not portray the same image at media interviews.
"I'm a supporter of President Bush, but I do believe he is a bad, inadequate communicator," Mr Murdoch said.

Mr Murdoch said the anti-Bush sentiment in Washington DC had become so toxic it would make it difficult for his administration to achieve anything in the final 18 months of its term.

The News Corp chairman said that except for his tabloid, the New York Post, and the Wall Street Journal, the US media launched "a monolithic attack" on Mr Bush "every day of the year".

Mr Murdoch has expanded his media interests in China and India in recent years, and spoke yesterday of his frustration.

"Well, I don't do a lot of business there. I just try to," said Mr Murdoch, discussing the restrictions on media companies in China.

"The fact is media is pretty much closed. It's limited."

Mr Murdoch was more upbeat about India, although he revealed there had been attempts to elicit bribes from him.

"I've certainly been asked for bribes in India, which I obviously haven't given," he said.


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