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CNN Live Today

Bush Scheduled for Four Countries

Aired May 22, 2002 - 14:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We are watching the president get off Air Force One, have the greeting party there, and then soon to climb in that black limousine you see off to the left.

One week, four countries, Germany first. France, Italy, and then, as we mentioned, Russia, as the president continues his European tour there.

Kelly Wallace traveling with the president and now joins us by telephone -- Kelly.

Kelly, hello.

Check that. You are live and I apologize. Go ahead -- Kelly.

WALLACE: Hello to you, Bill. Exactly. Live here, on the camera.

Well, this, Bill, the president's first ever visit to Germany. He's arriving here in Berlin. His first order of business will be heading to a cafe in the heart of Berlin to spend some time with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. And then the main part of his visit will really be meetings on Thursday, including a speech to a special session of the German parliament, and there, Bill, a chance for the president to address many of his critics in Europe.

As you were noting, the president coming here, trying to shore-up the coalition in the ongoing war against terrorism. But a lot of Europeans have expressed some concern that the president could take a unilateralist approach to this campaign, especially when it comes to what to do about Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

So look for the president to get that message out, and also to try to answer some of his critics on the streets, Bill. We have seen some protests, more than 5,000 people out on the streets today in Berlin.

A peaceful protest. People taking issue with many of the president's policies when it comes to the environment, the Middle East, Iraq, even some concerns about the president imposing tariffs on steel imports -- a lot of concern that that goes against the president's free trade policies.

So a chance for the president to try to keep this coalition against terror together, but also to answer critics inside European capitals and on the streets -- Bill.

HEMMER: Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace in Berlin. We will be back in touch. Again, the president has arrived there in Germany.

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