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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Bush Has Frosty Relations With Some at G-8 Meetings

Aired May 30, 2003 - 06:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: What would an overseas trip be without baggage? Our John King looks at some of the diplomatic baggage President Bush will be carrying on his trip to Europe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Off to Europe with no one expecting this president is one to just forgive and forget.

SAMUEL BERGER, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: I don't think you'll need air conditioning, notwithstanding the fact that that it's going to be a June summit. I'm sure the room will be nicely chilled.

KING: The main event in France of all places is the annual Group of Eight summit that will put Mr. Bush in the same room as three leaders who fiercely opposed the war in Iraq: Chirac of France, Russia's Putin and Germany's Schroeder.

The White House insists Mr. Bush isn't one to dwell on the past, but also insists he is not to blame for the bad blood.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: The president understands honest policy disagreements. No one understands if things take on an anti-American tinge.

KING: Those who stand with Mr. Bush get invites to the Crawford ranch and the red carpet treatment at the White House. Those who oppose him get the cold shoulder. A little small talk at the NATO summit last November, but Mr. Bush has not spoken at length with the German chancellor for more than a year.

BERGER: There has been a deliberate and systematic effort to convey to the countries around the world, friends and foes, that if they cross the United States there is a price to pay.

KING: President Chirac is the summit host. Mr. Bush plans a brief courtesy call but not an extended meeting, and don't expect a ranch invite.

JEAN-DAVID LEVITTE, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Well, we are very pleased to see President Bush coming to Evian. He will receive the best hospitality, and he will decide when he wants to reciprocate.

KING: Making amends with Russia is more of a White House priority, in part because Moscow is critical in the coming debates over Iran and North Korea, but some see a personal lesson here as well.

BERGER: During the war and the period leading up to the war, Putin was very clever. He let his foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, make the tough statements, and basically Putin stayed in the background.

KING: Senior Bush aides reject the notion these disputes are personal. They say it's not the president's style to hold a grudge.

(on camera): Yet, as the president heads to Europe, these aides also say Mr. Bush is not about to forget the bitter pre-war debate, and they insist it is not his responsibility to take the first step toward mending fences.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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