President Bush, shadowed in Europe by a pressing concern from home, said Wednesday he will not select a Supreme Court nominee based on a "litmus test" on sensitive issues like abortion. He urged senators to act in "in a dignified way" in the battle over confirming his candidate.

Visiting this Scandinavian nation to thank Danes for sending troops to

Iraq and Afghanistan, Bush also strongly defended his decisions on Iraq, climate change, imprisoning terrorism suspects and aid to Africa all things that have made him unpopular in Europe.

"I understand that people aren't going to agree with decisions I make," Bush said as he stood alongside Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen with the Danish leader's official summer residence in the background. "I truly believe we're laying the foundation for peace."

Bush spent his 59th birthday here to thank Denmark for the several hundred troops the Scandinavian nation has contributed to the US-led fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking of the mission in Iraq, Bush said, "I know many miss their loved ones and I know how hard it is for families in times of deployment." He spoke at the prime minister's side, the white mansion on the outskirts of Copenhagen filling the background behind them.

Fogh Rasmussen said the Danes were glad to help with both missions.

"We share the belief that freedom is universal and we share the belief that in the struggle between democracy and dictatorship you cannot stay neutral," the prime minister said.

Bush said he is proud of his administration's tripling of US aid to Africa, and his decision to double aid again by 2010.