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Bush calls for action over Kosovo Bush calls for action over Kosovo
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said the time has come to bring the issue of Kosovo's independence "to its head". US President George W Bush has said a plan for Kosovo's UN-backed independence should take effect now, despite Russian and Serbian opposition.
He was speaking after talks with the Italian Prime Minister Romani Prodi, during a visit to Rome. Mr Bush was speaking after holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister Romani Prodi, during a visit to Rome.
Mr Prodi said there were no serious differences between the two countries, and Mr Bush welcomed Italian military involvement in Afghanistan. Mr Bush said he discussed Kosovo with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G8 summit, and it was "time to bring this issue to its head"
Earlier the American leader met Pope Benedict XVI and discussed conflicts in the Middle East, and Latin America. Earlier Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
Mr Bush will be continuing to Albania on the next leg of his European tour, which has already taken in the G8 summit and Poland. The Pope raised his concerns about the plight of Christians in Iraq, and expressed hopes of a "regional and negotiated solution to the conflicts that afflict" the Middle East, the Vatican said.
The two leaders "did talk about Kosovo and the importance of continuing to have discussions with the United Nations Security Council moving towards the Ahtisarri plan for Kosovo's independence," said a White House spokeswoman. It's time to move the Ahtisaari plan [on Kosovo] forward President Bush class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6386467.stm">Q&A: Kosovo's future
Mr Bush will be continuing to Albania on the next leg of his European tour, which has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany and Poland.
The G8 summit failed to reach consensus over Kosovo, in the face of strong opposition from Russia to independence for the province, which is still part of Serbia.
UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari put forward a blueprint for Kosovan independence in April.
"It's time to move the Ahtisaari plan forward," Mr Bush said.
He also discussed the situation in Lebanon with the Italian prime minister.
"It's very important that foreign influences like that of Syria not be continually disrupting the Siniora government," said Mr Bush.
Security concernsSecurity concerns
When he visited the Vatican earlier in the day, Mr Bush and the Pope shook hands and posed for photographs ahead of talks in Pope Benedict's private library.
Mr Bush earlier said he would be in a "listening mode"
In brief exchanges, Mr Bush described the just-concluded G8 summit as a "success".
But when asked by the Pope whether the dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin "was also good", Mr Bush said he would answer "in a minute" - before the two men went behind closed doors.
"The worrying situation in Iraq and the critical situation of the Christian community there" were among issues discussed along with "the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian question and Lebanon," the Vatican said in a statement.
The two men also discussed "ethical and religious issues" including human rights and freedom of religion, "the defence and promotion of life, marriage and the family, the education of new generations and sustainable development," it said.
It's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country Elio Luppoliprotester On tour with Bush Profile: Sant'EgidioIt's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country Elio Luppoliprotester On tour with Bush Profile: Sant'Egidio
There was an exchange of gifts and then Mr Bush spent a few minutes with Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State and number two to the Pope at the Vatican, before leaving for a working lunch with Mr Prodi. Visiting the Vatican earlier in the day, Mr Bush and the Pope shook hands and posed for photographs ahead of talks in Pope Benedict XVI's private library.
President Bush said the two had discussed the situation in Iraq.
"He was concerned that the society that was evolving would not tolerate the Christian religion, " said Mr Bush.
"He's worrisome about the Christians inside Iraq being mistreated by the Muslim majority."
The Vatican said that "the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian question and Lebanon" were other topics at the talks.
The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says President Bush told the Pope about his plans for increasing American aid to Africa and particularly for increasing help to Aids sufferers.The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says President Bush told the Pope about his plans for increasing American aid to Africa and particularly for increasing help to Aids sufferers.
Hours before Mr Bush arrived, the first trial over the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" programme opened in Milan. President Bush said talking to the Pope had been a "moving experience."
Twenty-six Americans and six Italians are accused of kidnapping a Muslim cleric from Italy and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured. "I was talking to a very smart, loving man," said the US president.
The CIA agents and US military personnel will be tried in absentia.
Mr Prodi said before Mr Bush's arrival that the issue would not on the agenda for their talks.