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CNN Live Today
Bush in Britain
Aired November 19, 2003 - 10:04 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Today the president marked his historic trip to Britain with what was called a major televised address.
Our senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president. John joins us from London today.
John, hello.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.
That speech by the president a defining moment during this official state visit here in Great Britain. The president trying to ask his critics here in Britain and across Europe to take a second look at him as an individual and as a leader and more specifically to his policy in Iraq.
Let's begin with the ceremony this morning at Buckingham Palace. The official welcome, the royal welcome for the president and first lady Laura Bush. The queen on hand, a 41-gun salute, a review of the troops, all that designed to send an unmistakable message, that U.S.- British relationship is solid, a relationship built on trust and a relationship that can survive political challenges, like the current controversy over the war in Iraq.
Outside of the palace grounds though, a show of a very different sort, the first of three days of planned mass protests, much of it in opposition to the war in Iraq. Many of those in the streets by the thousands would cast, the current state anyway, of U.S.-British relations is anything but special. Most of those on the streets, critics of Prime Minister Tony Blair of siding with President Bush of the war in Iraq.
Mr. Bush trying to address those protesters and the critics across Europe in the major speech he delivered today. The president on the one hand tried some humor, noting the recent stay in a plexiglass cube here of some 40-plus days by an American, saying perhaps as he came here, many Britons would prefer he had to stay in such a box as well.
The president also was quite defiant. He said yes, he would like to work with international institutions like the United Nations, but he also said when those institutions fail to address challenges, the use of force is necessary. And he also promised to those who might question whether he will stay to the end in Iraq, that the United States will complete the mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The failure of democracy in Iraq would throw its people back into misery and turn that country over to terrorists who wish to destroy us, yet democracy will succeed in Iraq. Because our will is firm, our word is good and the Iraqi people will not surrender their freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: This visit, of course, quite controversial for Prime Minister Blair, facing criticism from within his own Labor Party, criticism from across great Britain for his steadfast support of President Bush. Many questioning him, including at a session in the parliament today: Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Why is he such a firm ally of this president? In Mr. Bush's speech today, he paid tribute to the man who has become his closest supporter when it comes to the war in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: America has always found strong partners in London, leaders of good judgment and blunt council and backbone when times are tough. And I found all those qualities in your current prime minister, who has my respect and my deepest thanks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: A state dinner on tap for the president here tonight, and then strategy sessions with Prime Minister Blair tomorrow. There the president hoping that his critics in Europe view this visit and view the speech today, take a step back and perhaps give him a success look. Public opinion poll show the trip is controversial. The president says he is here to say thank you to Great Britain and to prove that the relationship can withstand any protests, any criticism. And Mr. Bush of course say he's enjoying himself. Tens of thousands on the streets making it clear they perhaps wish he was not here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John King in London. John, thank you for that.
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 November 19, 2003 - 10:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Today the president marked his historic trip to Britain with what was called a major televised address.
Our senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president. John joins us from London today.
John, hello.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.
That speech by the president a defining moment during this official state visit here in Great Britain. The president trying to ask his critics here in Britain and across Europe to take a second look at him as an individual and as a leader and more specifically to his policy in Iraq.
Let's begin with the ceremony this morning at Buckingham Palace. The official welcome, the royal welcome for the president and first lady Laura Bush. The queen on hand, a 41-gun salute, a review of the troops, all that designed to send an unmistakable message, that U.S.- British relationship is solid, a relationship built on trust and a relationship that can survive political challenges, like the current controversy over the war in Iraq.
Outside of the palace grounds though, a show of a very different sort, the first of three days of planned mass protests, much of it in opposition to the war in Iraq. Many of those in the streets by the thousands would cast, the current state anyway, of U.S.-British relations is anything but special. Most of those on the streets, critics of Prime Minister Tony Blair of siding with President Bush of the war in Iraq.
Mr. Bush trying to address those protesters and the critics across Europe in the major speech he delivered today. The president on the one hand tried some humor, noting the recent stay in a plexiglass cube here of some 40-plus days by an American, saying perhaps as he came here, many Britons would prefer he had to stay in such a box as well.
The president also was quite defiant. He said yes, he would like to work with international institutions like the United Nations, but he also said when those institutions fail to address challenges, the use of force is necessary. And he also promised to those who might question whether he will stay to the end in Iraq, that the United States will complete the mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The failure of democracy in Iraq would throw its people back into misery and turn that country over to terrorists who wish to destroy us, yet democracy will succeed in Iraq. Because our will is firm, our word is good and the Iraqi people will not surrender their freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: This visit, of course, quite controversial for Prime Minister Blair, facing criticism from within his own Labor Party, criticism from across great Britain for his steadfast support of President Bush. Many questioning him, including at a session in the parliament today: Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Why is he such a firm ally of this president? In Mr. Bush's speech today, he paid tribute to the man who has become his closest supporter when it comes to the war in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: America has always found strong partners in London, leaders of good judgment and blunt council and backbone when times are tough. And I found all those qualities in your current prime minister, who has my respect and my deepest thanks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: A state dinner on tap for the president here tonight, and then strategy sessions with Prime Minister Blair tomorrow. There the president hoping that his critics in Europe view this visit and view the speech today, take a step back and perhaps give him a success look. Public opinion poll show the trip is controversial. The president says he is here to say thank you to Great Britain and to prove that the relationship can withstand any protests, any criticism. And Mr. Bush of course say he's enjoying himself. Tens of thousands on the streets making it clear they perhaps wish he was not here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John King in London. John, thank you for that.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
