Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / BRITAIN WRAP (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-310021

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has defended the war in Iraq, saying sometimes the use of force is justified to confront threats to peace and security. V-O-A White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports the remarks came on the first full day of the president's state visit to Great Britain.

TEXT: It was a day that began and ended with royal pageantry. In between, there were reminders of the war in Iraq and the victims of terrorism.

With anti-war protesters gathering in the British capital, President Bush offered a strong defense of his Iraq policy. He said the measured use of force is sometimes necessary as a last resort.

///BUSH ACT///

The people have given us the duty to defend them. And that duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men.

///END ACT///

In the keynote address of the trip -- delivered to an invited group of academics instead of the British parliament -- the president said the United States and the United Kingdom have a common goal in Iraq.

///BUSH ACT///

The United States and Great Britain share a mission in the world beyond the balance of power or the simple pursuit of interest. We seek the advance of freedom and the peace that freedom brings.

///END ACT///

Mr. Bush acknowledged there are people who object to his Iraq policy. And he referred to the protesters gathering in London during his visit.

///BUSH ACT///

I've been here only a short time, but I've noticed that the tradition of free speech -- exercised with enthusiasm -- is alive and well here in London.

///END ACT///

There were small scale demonstrations on the first day of the visit, with the largest protests scheduled for Thursday, when the president meets with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

A few protesters gathered near Buckingham Palace were heard but not seen by the dignitaries at the formal welcoming ceremony on the palace grounds. It was a scaled back affair minus the traditional open-carriage ride with the British monarch through London.

Security was given as the primary reason, with concerns the demonstrations might get out of hand or terrorists might strike. But some state visit traditions endured -- from the review of troops at the formal morning welcome, to the evening state banquet where first Queen Elizabeth and then the president offered toasts to the enduring friendship between the United States and Great Britain.

////BUSH ACT///

The mutual respect and fellowship between our countries is deep and strong and permanent.

///END ACT///

The most poignant moment of the day, however, took place far from television cameras and microphones and was devoid of pageantry. It came when the president met privately with family members of some of the 67 British citizens killed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States. An aide to the president described the meeting as very intense and very emotional. (signed)

NEB/PW/RH