Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said the financial crisis shouldn't lead lawmakers to cut pledges of aid for poor nations or a commitment to free trade.

Improving health care, providing clean water and boosting economic opportunities is crucial to both building the American economy and combating the threats from terrorism, Bush said.

``During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward -- focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world,'' Bush said in a speech today to the White House Summit on International Development in Washington. ``This would be a serious mistake.''

``America must stay committed to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets,'' he said. ``We are committed to development because it is in America's long-term economic interests.''

During the Bush administration, the U.S. has launched two new foreign assistance programs, one on AIDS and malaria and the other focused on helping governments that reduce corruption, cut barriers to trade and embrace free-market reforms.

Bush has increased spending on assistance to $21 billion in 2007 from $12.6 billion in 2001, with much of that new aid going to Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the Center for Global Development.

To contact the reporters on this story: Holly Rosenkrantz in Washington at hrosenkrantz@bloomberg.netMark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 21, 2008 13:39 EDT