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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Bush arrives for two-day UK visit | Bush arrives for two-day UK visit |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US President George W Bush has arrived in the UK as he nears the end of what is expected to be his final tour of Europe before leaving office. | US President George W Bush has arrived in the UK as he nears the end of what is expected to be his final tour of Europe before leaving 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 Bush, are later due to have an informal dinner with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at Downing Street. | He and his wife, Laura Bush, are later due to have an informal dinner with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at Downing Street. |
| The two men are due to discuss the allied strategy in Iraq. | The two men are due to discuss the allied strategy in Iraq. |
| 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. |
| Billed as a "private and informal" the visit between "old friends" by Buckingham Palace, the 45-minute tea meeting was followed by a brief photo call in St George's Hall in Windsor Castle. | |
| No guarantees | No guarantees |
| 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". |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Any withdrawal of UK forces would depend on "conditions on the ground," she said. | Any withdrawal of UK forces would depend on "conditions on the ground," she said. |
| "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. |
| The president's day began on Sunday with a morning cycle ride through Paris before attending services at American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, an Episcopal-Anglican church near the Eiffel Tower. | The president's day began on Sunday with a morning cycle ride through Paris before attending services at American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, an Episcopal-Anglican church near the Eiffel Tower. |