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Protesters greet Bush's UK visit Protesters greet Bush's UK visit
(about 1 hour later)
US President George Bush has begun a two-day visit to the UK as part of his final European tour before he leaves office in January.US President George Bush has begun a two-day visit to the UK as part of his final European tour before he leaves office in January.
After arriving at Heathrow, Mr Bush then flew by helicopter to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.After arriving at Heathrow, Mr Bush then flew by helicopter to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.
He and his wife, Laura, dining informally with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, at Downing Street before formal talks on Monday. He and his wife, Laura, dined informally with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, at Downing Street before formal talks on Monday.
Mr Bush's visit was met by vocal anti-war protesters in central London.Mr Bush's visit was met by vocal anti-war protesters in central London.
Shortly before the US president was due to meet Mr Brown in Whitehall, demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square to shout: "George Bush - terrorist". Shortly before the US president was due to meet Mr Brown in Whitehall, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square to shout: "George Bush - terrorist".
'War criminal''War criminal'
They brandished placards emblazoned with his name, blood patches and handcuffs.
The protest rally was organised by the Stop War Coalition, CND and the British Muslim Initiative.The protest rally was organised by the Stop War Coalition, CND and the British Muslim Initiative.
The demonstrators had said they would attempt to march to Downing Street, despite Whitehall being closed entirely by police as a security precaution. The demonstrators had planned to march to Downing Street, but police closed down Whitehall and used heavy reinforcements to ensure the metal barrier they erected was not breached.
While the protest, which drew several hundred people, was modest in size compared with previous crowds that turned out to demonstrate against Mr Bush, there were a few scuffles.
When demonstrators pushed forward, police brandished batons and three people were arrested.
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."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."
When the two leaders meet formally on Monday, they are expected to focus on the Middle East, fuel and food prices.When the two leaders meet formally on Monday, they are expected to focus on the Middle East, fuel and food prices.
Mr Bush's arrival in Britain comes at the end of a six-day European tour.Mr Bush's arrival in Britain comes at the end of a six-day European tour.
His 45-minute tea meeting with the Queen was billed by Buckingham Palace as a "private and informal" visit between "old friends".His 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 BritainIn 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 securityTight 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 were prepared for the planned protest.Large swathes of central London are expected to be closed at varying times to accommodate the visit and police say they were prepared for the planned protest.
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 commentsHAVE 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.
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.
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.
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.