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American Morning
Bushes Wrapping up Visit to UK
Aired November 21, 2003 - 09:16 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The president in northern England right now visiting the home district of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr. Bush and the first lady heading back to the White House later today. In fact, will take off in about an hour and 15 minutes from now.
Our senior White House correspondent John King back with us, traveling wit the president in Darlington, England. John, hello again.
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Bill.
This the final few hours of the president's visit here. A social visit to Prime Minister Blair's home district. The day began with an end to Mr. Bush's official state visit here in the United Kingdom. A chance for the president and first lady, Laura Bush, to say thank you to her majesty the queen. The Bushes spent three nights at Buckingham Palace. A brief farewell ceremony this morning, again, so Mr. Bush could say thank you for her majesty's hospitality.
Then, as you noted, it was off to Northeastern England, the home district of Tony Blair. The district he represents in the Parliament. This a chance for Mr. Blair to return the favor. He has been the president's guest at Camp David, the president's guest at the ranch in Crawford, Texas. Mr. Blair and his wife greeting Mr. Bush here in his district.
And Mr. Bush doing what any newcomer to the neighborhood might do, stopping by to say hello to the neighbors. And in the president's case, even posing for pictures, at this hour a pub lunch. We're told all four, the Bushes and the Blairs, having fish and chips.
This all part of an effort for the two leaders to once again stand together. Quite a controversial alliance, of course, because of the war in Iraq. And for Mr. Bush he hopes this visit will help improve his image here in Great Britain and across Europe.
But even today here in Sedgefield, a small number of protesters here on hand to protest the war in Iraq. As you noted, Bill, the president does head home in just a few hours.
HEMMER: John, meanwhile it is front page news again today. The bombings in Turkey. The scene really just one of devastation. The amount of damage that was inflicted there, both physical and on the human toll. Did the president talk about that again today, or not? KING: He has not spoken to reporters about it. But he did make a phone call to the Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey on the short flight up to Northern England from London, about a seven-minute conversation. We're told Mr. Bush promised solidarity with Turkey in the war on terrorism.
Also expressed the condolences, his personal condolences and the condolences of the American people. And offered any assistance at all that Turkey might want or need, Bill, with either the investigation or the ongoing recovery efforts.
HEMMER: Death toll today at 27 now from the bombings yesterday. Thanks, John, travel safe. We'll see you back here in D.C. John King in Darlington.
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 21, 2003 - 09:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The president in northern England right now visiting the home district of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr. Bush and the first lady heading back to the White House later today. In fact, will take off in about an hour and 15 minutes from now.
Our senior White House correspondent John King back with us, traveling wit the president in Darlington, England. John, hello again.
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Bill.
This the final few hours of the president's visit here. A social visit to Prime Minister Blair's home district. The day began with an end to Mr. Bush's official state visit here in the United Kingdom. A chance for the president and first lady, Laura Bush, to say thank you to her majesty the queen. The Bushes spent three nights at Buckingham Palace. A brief farewell ceremony this morning, again, so Mr. Bush could say thank you for her majesty's hospitality.
Then, as you noted, it was off to Northeastern England, the home district of Tony Blair. The district he represents in the Parliament. This a chance for Mr. Blair to return the favor. He has been the president's guest at Camp David, the president's guest at the ranch in Crawford, Texas. Mr. Blair and his wife greeting Mr. Bush here in his district.
And Mr. Bush doing what any newcomer to the neighborhood might do, stopping by to say hello to the neighbors. And in the president's case, even posing for pictures, at this hour a pub lunch. We're told all four, the Bushes and the Blairs, having fish and chips.
This all part of an effort for the two leaders to once again stand together. Quite a controversial alliance, of course, because of the war in Iraq. And for Mr. Bush he hopes this visit will help improve his image here in Great Britain and across Europe.
But even today here in Sedgefield, a small number of protesters here on hand to protest the war in Iraq. As you noted, Bill, the president does head home in just a few hours.
HEMMER: John, meanwhile it is front page news again today. The bombings in Turkey. The scene really just one of devastation. The amount of damage that was inflicted there, both physical and on the human toll. Did the president talk about that again today, or not? KING: He has not spoken to reporters about it. But he did make a phone call to the Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey on the short flight up to Northern England from London, about a seven-minute conversation. We're told Mr. Bush promised solidarity with Turkey in the war on terrorism.
Also expressed the condolences, his personal condolences and the condolences of the American people. And offered any assistance at all that Turkey might want or need, Bill, with either the investigation or the ongoing recovery efforts.
HEMMER: Death toll today at 27 now from the bombings yesterday. Thanks, John, travel safe. We'll see you back here in D.C. John King in Darlington.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
