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Bush plays down row with Russia Bush plays down row with Russia
(20 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has again tried to soothe a row with Russia at the start of a G8 summit in Germany.US President George W Bush has again tried to soothe a row with Russia at the start of a G8 summit in Germany.
Mr Bush said the row over a missile defence shield was "nothing we ought to be hyperventilating about".Mr Bush said the row over a missile defence shield was "nothing we ought to be hyperventilating about".
Mr Bush, who is to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin for private talks, again urged Moscow to send generals to the US to be reassured about the plan.Mr Bush, who is to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin for private talks, again urged Moscow to send generals to the US to be reassured about the plan.
Meanwhile, pressure is growing for a deal on climate change with UK PM Tony Blair saying it is still possible.Meanwhile, pressure is growing for a deal on climate change with UK PM Tony Blair saying it is still possible.
Tension remains high outside the summit.
Anti-globalisation groups called off the main protest planned for Thursday after it was banned.
However, protesters vowed to continue blocking roads until the meeting ended on Friday.
G8 KEY ISSUES Climate change and energy efficiencyFighting poverty, particularly in AfricaWorld economic issues and global trade dealsSudan's Darfur regionIndependence of KosovoThe Middle EastIran's nuclear programme In pictures: Summit protests Russian press predict rows Q&A: US missile defence
Several police were hurt on Thursday as officers fired water cannon at stone-throwing demonstrators.
Two boats operated by environmental group Greenpeace were intercepted as they broke into a Baltic Sea cordon to try to deliver a message to G8 leaders.
For a short time on Wednesday protesters had cut off all ground access to the summit. Scores were arrested as police tried to clear roads.
Some 16,000 officers have been deployed to deal with what are estimated to be around 6,000 protesters.
Rogue statesRogue states
Mr Bush and Mr Blair held a breakfast meeting on Thursday ahead of the full talks in Heiligendamm.Mr Bush and Mr Blair held a breakfast meeting on Thursday ahead of the full talks in Heiligendamm.
Mr Bush said he was looking forward to his private meeting with Mr Putin on Thursday afternoon.Mr Bush said he was looking forward to his private meeting with Mr Putin on Thursday afternoon.
G8 KEY ISSUES Climate change and energy efficiencyFighting poverty, particularly in AfricaWorld economic issues and global trade dealsSudan's Darfur regionIndependence of KosovoThe Middle EastIran's nuclear programme In pictures: Summit protests Russian press predict rows Q&A: US missile defence
The US president said he would tell his Russian counterpart that the missile defence shield is "not something we should hyperventilate about".The US president said he would tell his Russian counterpart that the missile defence shield is "not something we should hyperventilate about".
I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair warning over Russia Diary: On tour with Bush Send us your comments
Mr Bush said: "I will reiterate the proposal I made: Send your generals to the US, send your officials to the US and hopefully that will clear things up."Mr Bush said: "I will reiterate the proposal I made: Send your generals to the US, send your officials to the US and hopefully that will clear things up."
The US says its shield, which will include facilities in two former Soviet satellites, the Czech Republic and Poland, is targeted at rogue states like North Korea and Iran, not Russia.The US says its shield, which will include facilities in two former Soviet satellites, the Czech Republic and Poland, is targeted at rogue states like North Korea and Iran, not Russia.
Mr Bush said: "We're not at war with Russia. Russia is not a threat."Mr Bush said: "We're not at war with Russia. Russia is not a threat."
He also sought to play down earlier criticism of Russia's record on democracy saying Russian society had "moved a long way since the Soviet era".He also sought to play down earlier criticism of Russia's record on democracy saying Russian society had "moved a long way since the Soviet era".
Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims the defence shield is targeting rogue states and says Moscow may in response aim its missiles at Europe.Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims the defence shield is targeting rogue states and says Moscow may in response aim its missiles at Europe.
Kosovo
Mr Bush also insisted the US would play a full role on climate change but said that any global accord would have to include key developing nations.Mr Bush also insisted the US would play a full role on climate change but said that any global accord would have to include key developing nations.
I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair warning over Russia Diary: On tour with Bush Send us your comments
"Nothing is going to happen in terms of substantial reduction unless China and India participate," he said."Nothing is going to happen in terms of substantial reduction unless China and India participate," he said.
Police intercept protesting Greenpeace boats
Mr Blair was upbeat, saying there was a "very substantial coming together" on climate change.Mr Blair was upbeat, saying there was a "very substantial coming together" on climate change.
"It is possible that we leave this summit - I am not saying that will happen - with a commitment on the part of everyone to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050," he said."It is possible that we leave this summit - I am not saying that will happen - with a commitment on the part of everyone to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050," he said.
Climate change will form the afternoon debate, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel pressing for industrialised nations to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial levels.Climate change will form the afternoon debate, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel pressing for industrialised nations to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial levels.
Other key issues will be Kosovo, African poverty and Iran's nuclear programme.Other key issues will be Kosovo, African poverty and Iran's nuclear programme.
Police intercept protesting Greenpeace boats
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all G8 summits expose contentious issues but not usually as many as this one.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all G8 summits expose contentious issues but not usually as many as this one.
Russia is expected to fight plans for Kosovo to be granted a high level of independence, our correspondent says.Russia is expected to fight plans for Kosovo to be granted a high level of independence, our correspondent says.
Tension remains high outside the summit.
Anti-globalisation groups called off the main protest planned for Thursday after it was banned.
However, protesters vowed to continue blocking roads until the meeting ended on Friday.
Several police were hurt on Thursday as officers fired water cannon at stone-throwing demonstrators.
Two boats operated by environmental group Greenpeace were intercepted as they broke into a Baltic Sea cordon to try to deliver a message to G8 leaders.
For a short time on Wednesday protesters had cut off all ground access to the summit. Scores were arrested as police tried to clear roads.
Some 16,000 officers have been deployed to deal with what are estimated to be around 6,000 protesters.