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CNN Live Today

President Bush to Conclude European Tour in Italy

Aired May 27, 2002 - 12:16   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Our commander-in-chief is due to land this hour in Italy. And Rome is the final stop on President Bush's trip to Europe. His arrival there expected within the next few minutes. But we're not seeing that picture just yet.

But earlier today, Mr. Bush stopped in France, at the scene of one of America's proudest, yet costliest days in war. CNN's John King was there and he joins us now from Paris -- hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Carol. Quite rare for the president of the United States to be out of the country on Memorial Day. President Bush, though, finding a powerful site, a backdrop, if you will, to deliver his remarks aimed at the people back home, but also the current allies of the United States in the war on terrorism.

Mr. Bush, at times joined by the first lady, walking through a battlefield of history. Walking the cliffs of Normandy, looking at times on what the D-Day battlefield map called Omaha Beach. Also walking the grounds of the American cemetery on the cliff overlooking where the Americans first came ashore on June 6, 1944, of course, the beginning of the decisive campaign to free France and the rest of Europe from Nazi occupation.

Mr. Bush in his speech saying America on every Memorial Day looks back. This Memorial Day, all the more important, he said, because the United States and its allies have lost lives in an ongoing war, the campaign underway in Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our wars have won for us every hour we live in freedom. Our wars have taken from us the men and women we honor today and every hour of the lifetimes they had hoped to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Mr. Bush began his day in the company of the French President, Jacques Chirac, in the small village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. It was the first village freed from Nazi occupation here in France as a result of the D-day invasion by the allied troops. Mr. Bush and President Chirac attending church services inside, then also speaking outside. President Chirac thanking the United States for its help in freeing his country from occupation; telling Mr. Bush, rest assured, France is with you now in the ongoing campaign against terrorism.

Mr. Bush also making clear to the audience that as he looked back on the events of nearly 60 years ago, he also was thinking ahead to the ongoing campaign. The president saying of the campaign against terrorism, quote, "This defense will require the sacrifice of our forefathers, but it's a sacrifice I promise you we will make."

As you mentioned, Carol, Mr. Bush on his way to Rome now. The war on terrorism a major theme there. They NATO alliance signs an agreement tomorrow, a partnership agreement with Russia. And with Russia now cooperating with the United States and its European allies, Mr. Bush will tell NATO it is time to rethink the mission of the Atlantic alliance focus not on an enemy based in Moscow anymore, but on one Mr. Bush believes is the world's great enemy, global terrorism -- Carol.

LIN: All right. Thank you very much. John King, reporting live from Paris.

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