WACO, Texas - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday defended his decision to sign legislation aimed at prolonging the life of Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged Florida woman, and said he was watching her case as it unfolds.
"This is an extraordinary and sad case," Bush said as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Mexican President Vicente Fox for talks on trade and border security.
"And I believe that in a case such as this, the legislative branch, the executive branch ought to err on the side of life, which we have. And now we'll watch the courts make its decisions. But we look at all options from the executive branch perspective," said Bush.
The stricken Florida woman's parents have vowed to take their battle to keep their daughter alive to the US Supreme Court. Schiavo's feeding tube was removed on Friday, and lawyers have warned that she is fading fast.
Bush denied that he had discussed "next steps" with his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and defended the Republican-led US Congress's decision to intervene in the emotional situation, which has dominated US media coverage for days.
"I have looked at all options prior to taking the action we took last weekend in concert with Congress. And we felt like the actions taken with Congress was the best course of action," said the president.
03/23/2005 18:53 GMT