President Bush yesterday said he still has not named an envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), two months after announcing the move.

"We have not identified the person yet. We're working toward that end," Mr. Bush told a group of journalists from Australian and Asian news outlets during a preview of his trip to Australia next week.

Mr. Bush said he would be meet today with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on the issue.

On June 27, Mr. Bush announced the appointment during a speech at the Islamic Center of Washington.

The OIC comprises 57 member countries and is based in Saudi Arabia.

“This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship," Mr. Bush said in June at the mosque.

Mr. Bush yesterday said he decided to name an envoy because he is "concerned about the perceptions in the Muslim world that the United States views the war on terror as a war against a particular religion."

"This is a war of extremists and radicals, ideologues driven by a vision … that hijacks religion in order to justify their position," Mr. Bush said. “And any chance we have to dispel false notion and to reinforce the realities is helpful to the United States, and frankly others, as well."

-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times