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CNN Live Sunday
Bush Meets With Chirac
Aired June 01, 2003 - 18:04 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The world's economic powers are in France for the G-8 summit. It's the first time they've met since major rifts over the war in Iraq. Can they heal the wounds? CNN senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president, who for the first time since the war faced the man who led Europe's fight against it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It began with this handshake. Two president who sparred fiercely over the war in Iraq taking the first steps towards repairing relations. The closely watched exchanges between Presidents Bush and Chirac included small talk, even a quick pat on the back.
U.S. officials termed it business-like and say hard feelings will not disappear overnight. But the French president voiced hope that the ice is beginning to melt.
PRES. JACQUES CHIRAC, FRANCE (through translator): Don't believe everything you're told. I met with President Bush in a very positive manner.
KING: The group of eight nations were evenly divided over the war. And Mr. Bush is clearly more friendly with those on his side, Britain's Blair and Japan's Koizumi among them. Russia's Putin joined France and Germany in vigorously opposing the war. But it is clear Mr. Bush is in much more of a hurry to repair relations with a man he still calls Vladimir, and friend.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think this experience will make our relationship stronger, not weaker.
KING: Both presidents were upbeat after talks in St. Petersburg. But Russia's relations with Iran pose an immediate test.
Moscow for months dismissed Washington's concerns that Iran is using Russian technology to develop nuclear weapons. But senior U.S. officials say Mr. Putin is now asking Tehran tough questions.
PRES. VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): The positions of Russia and the United States on the issue are much closer than they seem.
KING: The two leaders also discussed pressuring North Korea to end its nuclear program, as did Mr. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao at this meeting on the sidelines of the G-8 gathering.
Mr. Bush is here for just 24 hours. Aides describe the discussions as businesslike, but say one meeting alone will now bring a thaw in still testy relations with France and Germany.
(on camera): And so while Mr. Bush is inviting President Putin to visit the United States in September, and also issued an invitation to President Hu, White House officials say there are no plans to extend such hospitality to President Chirac, or Chancellor Schroeder, at least not yet.
John King, Publiet (ph), France.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 1, 2003 - 18:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The world's economic powers are in France for the G-8 summit. It's the first time they've met since major rifts over the war in Iraq. Can they heal the wounds? CNN senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president, who for the first time since the war faced the man who led Europe's fight against it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It began with this handshake. Two president who sparred fiercely over the war in Iraq taking the first steps towards repairing relations. The closely watched exchanges between Presidents Bush and Chirac included small talk, even a quick pat on the back.
U.S. officials termed it business-like and say hard feelings will not disappear overnight. But the French president voiced hope that the ice is beginning to melt.
PRES. JACQUES CHIRAC, FRANCE (through translator): Don't believe everything you're told. I met with President Bush in a very positive manner.
KING: The group of eight nations were evenly divided over the war. And Mr. Bush is clearly more friendly with those on his side, Britain's Blair and Japan's Koizumi among them. Russia's Putin joined France and Germany in vigorously opposing the war. But it is clear Mr. Bush is in much more of a hurry to repair relations with a man he still calls Vladimir, and friend.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think this experience will make our relationship stronger, not weaker.
KING: Both presidents were upbeat after talks in St. Petersburg. But Russia's relations with Iran pose an immediate test.
Moscow for months dismissed Washington's concerns that Iran is using Russian technology to develop nuclear weapons. But senior U.S. officials say Mr. Putin is now asking Tehran tough questions.
PRES. VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): The positions of Russia and the United States on the issue are much closer than they seem.
KING: The two leaders also discussed pressuring North Korea to end its nuclear program, as did Mr. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao at this meeting on the sidelines of the G-8 gathering.
Mr. Bush is here for just 24 hours. Aides describe the discussions as businesslike, but say one meeting alone will now bring a thaw in still testy relations with France and Germany.
(on camera): And so while Mr. Bush is inviting President Putin to visit the United States in September, and also issued an invitation to President Hu, White House officials say there are no plans to extend such hospitality to President Chirac, or Chancellor Schroeder, at least not yet.
John King, Publiet (ph), France.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
