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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bush calls for action over Kosovo | Bush calls for action over Kosovo |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| US President George W Bush has said a plan for Kosovo's UN-backed independence should take effect now, despite Russian and Serbian opposition. | US President George W Bush has said a plan for Kosovo's UN-backed independence should take effect now, despite Russian and Serbian opposition. |
| Mr Bush was speaking after holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, during a visit to Rome. | |
| 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" | 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 Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI. | Earlier Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI. |
| 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 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. |
| It's time to move the Ahtisaari plan [on Kosovo] forward President Bush Q&A: Kosovo's future | It's time to move the Ahtisaari plan [on Kosovo] forward President Bush 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "It's time to move the Ahtisaari plan forward," Mr Bush said. |
| He also discussed the situation in Lebanon with the Italian prime minister. | 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. | "It's very important that foreign influences like that of Syria not be continually disrupting the Siniora government," said Mr Bush. |
| Security concerns | Security concerns |
| 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'Egidio | 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'Egidio |
| 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. | 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. | 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 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." | "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 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. |
| President Bush said talking to the Pope had been a "moving experience." | President Bush said talking to the Pope had been a "moving experience." |
| "I was talking to a very smart, loving man," said the US president. | "I was talking to a very smart, loving man," said the US president. |