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CNN Live At Daybreak
Officials: Relations Not Cured Yet
Aired June 02, 2003 - 05:05 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 COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We turn to that summit that has President Bush shaking hands with some of the biggest critics of the war in Iraq. This is the second and final day of President Bush's visit to France for the G8 summit.
Our Senior White House Correspondent John King is traveling with the president. He joins us live this morning from Evian, France -- good morning, John.
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
Many important issues for the leaders to discuss this morning. But it is certainly no secret that a major subplot of the discussions here are the lingering tensions over the war in Iraq. The leaders arriving for their sessions at the so-called Group of Eight meeting this morning. Mr. Bush, of course, on hand. The host, President Jacques Chirac, among those who most fiercely resisted the White House when it came to war in Iraq. The leaders of Russia, Germany, Italy also on hand for the discussions, as well.
They will issue a statement later today voicing confidence that the global economy is on the rebound and Mr. Bush will press the leaders here to commit to be much more robust in interdicting, intercepting shipments around the world if it is suspected that those shipments are carrying possible parts for nuclear weapons or chemical weapons or biological weapons.
Now, U.S. officials described the conversations as businesslike. Earlier today we are told that Mr. Bush was out on a balcony, standing with the French president, Jacques Chirac, and the German chancellor, Gerhardt Schroeder, two of the men who most vigorously fought the White House when it came to war in Iraq. White House officials, though, say the relationships will not be cured. Problems in the relationships will not be cured at this one meeting and we do also know, Carol, Mr. Bush will spend about 20 minutes with Jacques Chirac before he leaves France for the Middle East and the leaders plan to wish Mr. Bush well as he heads off to his next round of delicate diplomacy, trying to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to take the early steps toward peace negotiations -- Carol.
COSTELLO: John, is Mr. Bush leaving the G8 summit early?
KING: He is leaving early. He will be here just more than 24 hours. The sessions will go on several hours after he leaves. The White House says it is not meant as a snub, by any means. There are still tensions, of course, with many of the European leaders. The White House says, though, that the leaders here fully understand Mr. Bush has an urgent challenge awaiting him in the Middle East and that's why he's taking off several hours early.
COSTELLO: John King live from Evian, France this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 2, 2003 - 05:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We turn to that summit that has President Bush shaking hands with some of the biggest critics of the war in Iraq. This is the second and final day of President Bush's visit to France for the G8 summit.
Our Senior White House Correspondent John King is traveling with the president. He joins us live this morning from Evian, France -- good morning, John.
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
Many important issues for the leaders to discuss this morning. But it is certainly no secret that a major subplot of the discussions here are the lingering tensions over the war in Iraq. The leaders arriving for their sessions at the so-called Group of Eight meeting this morning. Mr. Bush, of course, on hand. The host, President Jacques Chirac, among those who most fiercely resisted the White House when it came to war in Iraq. The leaders of Russia, Germany, Italy also on hand for the discussions, as well.
They will issue a statement later today voicing confidence that the global economy is on the rebound and Mr. Bush will press the leaders here to commit to be much more robust in interdicting, intercepting shipments around the world if it is suspected that those shipments are carrying possible parts for nuclear weapons or chemical weapons or biological weapons.
Now, U.S. officials described the conversations as businesslike. Earlier today we are told that Mr. Bush was out on a balcony, standing with the French president, Jacques Chirac, and the German chancellor, Gerhardt Schroeder, two of the men who most vigorously fought the White House when it came to war in Iraq. White House officials, though, say the relationships will not be cured. Problems in the relationships will not be cured at this one meeting and we do also know, Carol, Mr. Bush will spend about 20 minutes with Jacques Chirac before he leaves France for the Middle East and the leaders plan to wish Mr. Bush well as he heads off to his next round of delicate diplomacy, trying to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to take the early steps toward peace negotiations -- Carol.
COSTELLO: John, is Mr. Bush leaving the G8 summit early?
KING: He is leaving early. He will be here just more than 24 hours. The sessions will go on several hours after he leaves. The White House says it is not meant as a snub, by any means. There are still tensions, of course, with many of the European leaders. The White House says, though, that the leaders here fully understand Mr. Bush has an urgent challenge awaiting him in the Middle East and that's why he's taking off several hours early.
COSTELLO: John King live from Evian, France this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
