Welcomed to Britain with royal pageantry and a smattering of anti-war protesters, US President George W. Bush yesterday defended the war in Iraq, saying military might must at times be used to confront the continuing, global danger of terrorism.

　　"In some cases, the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force," Bush told academics gathered at Whitehall Palace.

　　During his state visit Bush is seeking to puncture what he views as misconceptions in Europe about America's use of force in Iraq.

　　"There are principled objections to the use of force in every generation and I credit the motives behind these views," Bush said, mindful of the bitter opposition among many in Britain and across Europe to the US- and British-led war in Iraq.

　　But, he added: "Those in authority are not judged only by good motivations. That duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men."

　　He invoked the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in America to warn against inaction.

　　"The hope that danger has passed is comforting, is understanding, and it is false," he said. "These terrorists target the innocent and they killed by the thousands and they would, if they gain the weapons they seek, kill by the millions and not be finished. ... The evil is in plain sight. The danger only increases with denial."

　　Earlier, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip gave a royal salute to the American leader, greeting Bush at Buckingham Palace.

　　As ceremonial cannon blasts from a 41-gun salute shook the palace, Bush and his wife, Laura, moved down a receiving line with the queen and prince, greeting Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and a phalanx of military officers in formal dress. Bush and the prince then inspected a column of Coldstream Guards, with their trademark gray coats and tall, furry black hats.

　　Buckingham Palace, the queen's London residence, also was a focal point for demonstrators bitterly opposed to the Iraq war. They gathered behind metal barriers yesterday, watched by large numbers of yellow-jacketed police officers.

　　But a British newspaper yesterday claimed an astonishing breach of security at Buckingham Palace, where the Bush party is staying. The daily Mirror said its reporter was working on the royal staff despite giving a false job reference.

　　It said its reporter had been one of the servants assigned to serve Bush's party.

　　Bush was informed of the breach yesterday morning. Buckingham Palace was conducting a "full investigation" into the incident, a royal spokeswoman said.