Bush’s stinginess with his time when it comes to responding to questions from the press is well known at home. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he doesn’t feel any more generous abroad:

George Bush's word is apparently beyond question. At least, by the Australian press.

The US President has declined a customary joint press conference after his address to the Federal Parliament tomorrow.

The media event, which normally allows two or three questions from Australian media and an equal number from the visiting press, would have been the only official opportunity for Australian journalists to quiz Mr. Bush on the Iraq war and its aftermath.

It would also be the only opportunity to ask the US President about the two Australian citizens being detained without charge at Guantanamo Bay.

Australian journalists have also been denied any place in a so-called "close-up media pool" that will follow Mr. Bush on all his official stops on the day. All positions in the four-member pool have been allocated to members of the White House press corps.

Yes, we know his administration is afraid he’ll say something stupid. But if you purport to rule the world from the Oval Office, you at least owe its citizens an explanation now and then.