Military

DATE=6/2/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=G-8 / BUSH / CHIRAC (S)

NUMBER=2-303892

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=EVIAN, FRANCE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// REPLACES CR 2-303882, G-8 SUMMIT ///

INTRO: President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac have given the most public indication yet that they are patching up their quarrel over the Iraq war. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports from the G-8 summit in Evian, France, the two men say it is time to move on.

TEXT: The two presidents staged their reconciliation for the benefit of reporters on the terrace of the hotel where they and six other world leaders are meeting.

Mr. Bush says he knows many people in both the United States and France wondered before the summit if the two men could actually sit down together and have a comfortable conversation. Absolutely, he says.

/// BUSH ACT ///

We can have disagreements. But that doesn't mean we have to be disagreeable with each other.

/// END ACT ///

As Mr. Bush spoke, Mr. Chirac nodded and smiled.

Mr. Bush says he sought Mr. Chirac's advice on the Middle East before heading to Egypt and Jordan, where he will personally engage in an effort to convince Israelis and Palestinians to make peace. Mr. Chirac promised full support for that effort.

Mr. Bush says he will spend as much time as necessary to achieve the goal of an Israeli and a Palestinian state living side-by-side. But he says he fully understands that Middle East peacemaking will be a difficult process. (Signed)

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