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American Morning
Bush Goes to London Next Week
Aired November 11, 2003 - 07:32 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 want to get to the White House quickly. When President Bush arrives in London midweek next week, it's expected he'll be met by large demonstrations protesting the war in Iraq. Last night, the British prime minister, Tony Blair, defended his alliance with America and delivered a message to those who plan to oppose the president when he arrives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I say to those who will protest when President Bush comes, protest if you will. That is your democratic right. Attack the decision to go to war, but have the integrity to realize that without it, these Iraqis now tasting freedom would still be under the lash of Saddam, his sons and their henchmen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That was from London. Here at home, the president, a full slate of events surrounding the commemoration of Veteran's Day today.
To the White House and the front lawn, John King -- good morning, John.
Let's talk about Tony Blair's comments and this visit to London next week first.
Good morning.
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Well, certainly a reflection there in Prime Minister Blair's advanced comments, if you will, trying to urge the protesters to be as polite as can be, a reflection of the controversy for this trip. Many questioning why President Bush would go, why Prime Minister Blair would have him right now because of all the political controversy.
The White House says that the president has been invited by the queen. This is an official state visit. Mr. Bush will spend three days in England. And the White House says it is proof that even amid some differences or political tensions, the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is so strong. But certainly White House officials have been put on notice perhaps as many as 100,000 protesters in the streets at some times when the president is there.
The president will salute his close friendship with Tony Blair and make the case that whether you agreed or disagreed with the decision to go to war, the United States and Great Britain must stay together in trying to win the peace, if you will, in Iraq.
HEMMER: Meanwhile, John, on Veteran's Day, where will the president be today?
KING: A reminder on this day, Bill, that the president will not only take the traditional role of pausing to reflect and thank the veterans for their service in the past, but this president does face a stark political challenge looking forward. He will go to Arlington National Cemetery. He will take part in the traditional wreath laying there and the traditional tribute to veterans who have served in wars past and present. But he also will deliver a speech here in Washington to the conservative Heritage Foundation, making the case for his policy in post-war Iraq.
You see the skepticism in the public opinion polling, you see it in the democratic campaign for the presidency. So as the president pays tribute today, looking backwards a bit, he also very much has to continue to make his political case for his policy in post-war Iraq.
HEMMER: John King from the White House.
John, thanks 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 11, 2003 - 07:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get to the White House quickly. When President Bush arrives in London midweek next week, it's expected he'll be met by large demonstrations protesting the war in Iraq. Last night, the British prime minister, Tony Blair, defended his alliance with America and delivered a message to those who plan to oppose the president when he arrives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I say to those who will protest when President Bush comes, protest if you will. That is your democratic right. Attack the decision to go to war, but have the integrity to realize that without it, these Iraqis now tasting freedom would still be under the lash of Saddam, his sons and their henchmen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That was from London. Here at home, the president, a full slate of events surrounding the commemoration of Veteran's Day today.
To the White House and the front lawn, John King -- good morning, John.
Let's talk about Tony Blair's comments and this visit to London next week first.
Good morning.
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Well, certainly a reflection there in Prime Minister Blair's advanced comments, if you will, trying to urge the protesters to be as polite as can be, a reflection of the controversy for this trip. Many questioning why President Bush would go, why Prime Minister Blair would have him right now because of all the political controversy.
The White House says that the president has been invited by the queen. This is an official state visit. Mr. Bush will spend three days in England. And the White House says it is proof that even amid some differences or political tensions, the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is so strong. But certainly White House officials have been put on notice perhaps as many as 100,000 protesters in the streets at some times when the president is there.
The president will salute his close friendship with Tony Blair and make the case that whether you agreed or disagreed with the decision to go to war, the United States and Great Britain must stay together in trying to win the peace, if you will, in Iraq.
HEMMER: Meanwhile, John, on Veteran's Day, where will the president be today?
KING: A reminder on this day, Bill, that the president will not only take the traditional role of pausing to reflect and thank the veterans for their service in the past, but this president does face a stark political challenge looking forward. He will go to Arlington National Cemetery. He will take part in the traditional wreath laying there and the traditional tribute to veterans who have served in wars past and present. But he also will deliver a speech here in Washington to the conservative Heritage Foundation, making the case for his policy in post-war Iraq.
You see the skepticism in the public opinion polling, you see it in the democratic campaign for the presidency. So as the president pays tribute today, looking backwards a bit, he also very much has to continue to make his political case for his policy in post-war Iraq.
HEMMER: John King from the White House.
John, thanks 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
