Bush backs policy keeping open gays out of military

US President George W. Bush Tuesday said the policy that bans gays from serving openly in the US military was "good policy," but declined to take a moral stand on homosexuality.

Asked about recent comments from the military's top officer that homosexuality was "immoral," Bush said, "I will not be rendering judgment about individual orientation."

But, he added, "I do believe the 'don't ask/don't tell' policy is good policy."

In March, Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Chicago Tribune that he thought homosexual acts were immoral, sparking an outcry from gay rights groups and a rebuke from the Bush administration.

"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," he said.

"I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way."

Pace was defending the duty to apply the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law that allows gays to serve only if they do not declare their sexual orientation or engage in homosexual conduct.

At the time, Joe Solomonese, president of Human Rights Campaign, said Pace's comments "were irresponsible, offensive and a slap in the face to the gay men and women who are currently serving their country with honor and bravery."

The comments also drew measured criticism from the Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said Pace's "personal opinion doesn't really have a place here."

The controversial policy has been in place since 1993 and, according to a 2005 report, has forced some 10,000 soliders from the ranks despite the struggle to meet recruiting goals.

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