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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Travels to Russia

Aired May 31, 2003 - 15:58   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.


SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is in St. Petersburg, Russia. He's one of more than 40 world leaders there, helping that city 300th birthday, but he's also there to smooth over differences over the Iraq war. CNN senior White House correspondent, John King, is traveling with the president and he joins us live from St. Petersburg, Russia -- John.
Good evening.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good evening to you, Sophia. That difficult, very delicate diplomacy, President Bush faces over the lingering differences over Iraq will take center stage tomorrow. Tonight in St. Petersburg, a festive atmosphere. As you noted, Mr. Bush more than -- one of more than 40 world leader on hand here at the invitation of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

St. Petersburg celebrating its 300th birthday with a fabulous, a breathtaking show. Ballet, music, fireworks. This city, one of the most beautiful in the world on display. President Putin, of course, quite proud of it, he made his political career, it began here in St. Petersburg. Mr. Bush sitting next to the Russian leader, smiling and joking with him throughout the festivities. Those two men have differences over the war in Iraq, but Mr. Bush is trying to repair the relationship because of Russia's key role in the debates over Iran and North Korea. The more delicate diplomacy will come tomorrow, a face- to-face meeting with President Putin, here in St. Petersburg, then onto the G-8 summit to Evian, France where Mr. Bush will, also, see the leaders of France and Germany, also fierce critics when it comes to Iraq but the president's stop, here tonight, one of celebration, festivity to leave the difficult part for tomorrow -- Sophia.

CHOI: All right, John King traveling with the president. Thanks so much.

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 May 31, 2003 - 15:58   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is in St. Petersburg, Russia. He's one of more than 40 world leaders there, helping that city 300th birthday, but he's also there to smooth over differences over the Iraq war. CNN senior White House correspondent, John King, is traveling with the president and he joins us live from St. Petersburg, Russia -- John.
Good evening.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good evening to you, Sophia. That difficult, very delicate diplomacy, President Bush faces over the lingering differences over Iraq will take center stage tomorrow. Tonight in St. Petersburg, a festive atmosphere. As you noted, Mr. Bush more than -- one of more than 40 world leader on hand here at the invitation of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

St. Petersburg celebrating its 300th birthday with a fabulous, a breathtaking show. Ballet, music, fireworks. This city, one of the most beautiful in the world on display. President Putin, of course, quite proud of it, he made his political career, it began here in St. Petersburg. Mr. Bush sitting next to the Russian leader, smiling and joking with him throughout the festivities. Those two men have differences over the war in Iraq, but Mr. Bush is trying to repair the relationship because of Russia's key role in the debates over Iran and North Korea. The more delicate diplomacy will come tomorrow, a face- to-face meeting with President Putin, here in St. Petersburg, then onto the G-8 summit to Evian, France where Mr. Bush will, also, see the leaders of France and Germany, also fierce critics when it comes to Iraq but the president's stop, here tonight, one of celebration, festivity to leave the difficult part for tomorrow -- Sophia.

CHOI: All right, John King traveling with the president. Thanks so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com