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Bush begins two-day visit to UK | Bush begins two-day visit to UK |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US President George W Bush has begun a two-day visit to the UK that is expected to be his final European tour before he leaves office. | US President George W Bush has begun a two-day visit to the UK that is expected to be his final European tour before he leaves office. |
Arriving at Heathrow, Mr Bush then flew by helicopter to Windsor Castle for a brief meeting with the Queen. | Arriving at Heathrow, Mr Bush then flew by helicopter to Windsor Castle for a brief meeting with the Queen. |
He and his wife, Laura, will have an informal dinner with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, at Downing Street before talks on Monday. | |
The leaders are expected to focus on the Middle East, fuel and food prices. | |
Mr Bush arrived in Britain at the end of a six-day European tour. | Mr Bush arrived in Britain at the end of a six-day European tour. |
The 45-minute tea meeting with the Queen was billed by Buckingham Palace as a "private and informal" visit between "old friends". | The 45-minute tea meeting with the Queen was billed by Buckingham Palace as a "private and informal" visit between "old friends". |
In pictures: Bush in Britain | In pictures: Bush in Britain |
They were joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, American ambassador Robert Tuttle and his wife, Maria. | They were joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, American ambassador Robert Tuttle and his wife, Maria. |
Their traditional tea of cakes and finger sandwiches was followed by a brief photo call in St George's Hall in Windsor Castle. | Their traditional tea of cakes and finger sandwiches was followed by a brief photo call in St George's Hall in Windsor Castle. |
Mr Bush is the first US president to visit Windsor since Ronald Regan was pictured riding with the Queen in 1982. | Mr Bush is the first US president to visit Windsor since Ronald Regan was pictured riding with the Queen in 1982. |
Tight security | |
The president's short visit involves a large security operation, involving 1,200 Metropolitan Police officers each day. | The president's short visit involves a large security operation, involving 1,200 Metropolitan Police officers each day. |
Mr Bush also travels with his own extensive protection team, including the presidential motorcade vehicles. | Mr Bush also travels with his own extensive protection team, including the presidential motorcade vehicles. |
Large swathes of central London are expected to be closed at varying times to accommodate the visit and police say they are prepared for a planned protest. | |
Stop the War protestors were beginning to gather near Parliament Square for their demonstration, which organisers say they expect will draw at least 5,000 people. | |
The demonstrators say they will attempt to march to Downing Street, despite Whitehall being closed entirely by police. | |
Andrew Burgin, a spokesman for the Coalition, which earlier staged a small demonstration outside Windsor Castle, said: "We think Bush is a war criminal. Both Blair and Bush are responsible by duplicity and lying for an illegal invasion of Iraq." | |
In advance of his arrival, Mr Bush told the Observer newspaper the US and UK want to withdraw troops but this should be "based on success" and not a "definitive timetable". | In advance of his arrival, Mr Bush told the Observer newspaper the US and UK want to withdraw troops but this should be "based on success" and not a "definitive timetable". |
HAVE YOUR SAYI do not think Bush's visit is worthwhile. I am proud to be an American, but I am ashamed of Bush. He hasn't done any good for anybody.Ken Jones, Lincoln, USASend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYI do not think Bush's visit is worthwhile. I am proud to be an American, but I am ashamed of Bush. He hasn't done any good for anybody.Ken Jones, Lincoln, USASend us your comments |
His comments follow reports that a final pull-out of the UK's remaining 4,500 troops could be signalled by the end of the year. | His comments follow reports that a final pull-out of the UK's remaining 4,500 troops could be signalled by the end of the year. |
No guarantees | |
The president said he is confident that, like him, Mr Brown will listen to the commanders "to make sure that the sacrifices that have gone forward won't be unravelled by draw-downs that may not be warranted". | The president said he is confident that, like him, Mr Brown will listen to the commanders "to make sure that the sacrifices that have gone forward won't be unravelled by draw-downs that may not be warranted". |
But the Ministry of Defence has said no decision had been taken on troop withdrawals. | But the Ministry of Defence has said no decision had been taken on troop withdrawals. |
And a Downing Street spokeswoman said there was no disagreement with the US. | And a Downing Street spokeswoman said there was no disagreement with the US. |
"It is not our policy to set arbitrary timetables." | "It is not our policy to set arbitrary timetables." |
The BBC's world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said the talks would also be likely to cover Iran and its nuclear ambitions as well as the global fuel and food crises. | The BBC's world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said the talks would also be likely to cover Iran and its nuclear ambitions as well as the global fuel and food crises. |
He added that although Britain - like the rest of Europe - is already looking beyond President Bush to the next US administration, the allies still face six months of challenges together on many fronts. | He added that although Britain - like the rest of Europe - is already looking beyond President Bush to the next US administration, the allies still face six months of challenges together on many fronts. |
In addition to his talks with Mr Brown, Mr Bush is to meet former prime minister Tony Blair in his capacity as Middle East envoy. | In addition to his talks with Mr Brown, Mr Bush is to meet former prime minister Tony Blair in his capacity as Middle East envoy. |
Mr Bush's week-long trip also took him to Slovenia, Germany, Italy, and France. | Mr Bush's week-long trip also took him to Slovenia, Germany, Italy, and France. |