Bush unperturbed by protesters
US president George W Bush stared down anti-war protestors yesterday, saying they were “lucky” to have democratic freedoms, describing freedom of speech itself as a ‘beautiful thing.’
Tens of thousands of anti-Bush protestors are expected to descend on London this week to make their feelings heard on the unpopular war in Iraq when Mr Bush arrives for the first state visit by an American President.
He arrives on Tuesday on a three-day official tour.
The president’s visit comes as the UK is on its second highest state of alert, amid fears of an imminent terror attack. Thousands of extra police have been drafted in to safeguard the president’s life.
In an interview on BBC One’s ‘Breakfast with Frost’ programme, Mr Bush told protestors they were “lucky” to be in a country that encouraged people to speak up.
“I value going to a country where people are free to say anything they want to say,” he said.
On the “valued” special relationship with prime minister Tony Blair, Mr Bush said: “The key to my relationship with Tony is that he tells the truth and he tells you what he thinks and when he says he’s going to do something he’s going to do it; I trust him therefore.”
Commending Mr Blair for taking a lead in the fight against Aids, he said: “This country is leading the world when it comes to fighting Aids. I can assure you having studied this issue, and understanding the pandemic of Aids on the count of Africa, the people of Africa will be better off if Europe and the United States work together to fight it.”
On Europe, Mr Bush said the unity between Europe and the US was the lynchpin to securing a more peaceful world.
Mr Bush said he forgave Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder for undermining the second UN resolution ahead of the Iraq invasion.
Mr Bush said: “I can understand why people express their disagreement with the policy.”
But the president said the world would be “better off” if Europe worked closely with America and America worked closely with Europe.
Tony Blair said of his counterpart’s visit: “I believe passionately that there could not be a better moment for him to come to the UK than now.
“Nor a better opportunity for our two countries to re-affirm both our special relationship and our commitment to give the Iraqi people the chance for a better, more prosperous and peaceful future.”
