By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and JOHN O'NEIL
VIENNA, June 21 — President Bush gave an impassioned defense of American policy today in the face of pointed criticism and reminders of how far the United States has fallen in the estimation of most Europeans.

"That's absurd!" Mr. Bush said when asked at a news conference about the belief by many Europeans that the United States is a bigger threat to world peace than Iran.

Speaking after meeting with leaders of the European Union, Mr. Bush returned to that theme when asked about reports that the United States had established a network of secret prisons for terror suspects with the cooperation of some European countries.

"For Europe, Sept. 11 was a moment; for us, it changed our thinking," he said, his voice rising and his face becoming flushed. "I'm not going to forget. I will be steadfast."

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