Military

DATE=10/22/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / AUSTRALIA (S-O)

NUMBER=2-308924

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

CONTENT=

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INTRO: President Bush is in Australia, where he will meet with Prime Minister John Howard and address Australia's Parliament. Mr. Bush arrived following a three-hour visit to Indonesia. V-O-A's Scott Stearns has more from Australia's capital, Canberra.

TEXT: The president and Mrs. Bush spend the night in Canberra, following their stop in Bali. Thursday, Mr. Bush meets with Prime Minister Howard to thank him for his support in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in the fight against terrorism.

He will then address Australia's parliament and meet with the country's opposition leader, Simon Crean.

Prime Minister and Mrs. Howard will host the president and first lady for a social lunch at their official residence before Mr. and Mrs. Bush meet with U-S Embassy staff at the ambassador's residence.

They will then take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Australia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and make the nearly 10-hour flight to Hawaii, where the president and First Lady will visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial and raise money for next year's presidential election. (SIGNED)

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