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Bush on UK visit amidst tight security, protests
London, Nov 19: U S President George W Bush today embarked on the first full state visit by an American President to Britain, which is also the most controversial, with his exposure to the public kept to minimum due to security concerns.
London, Nov 19: U S President George W Bush today
embarked on the first full state visit by an American
President to Britain, which is also the most controversial,
with his exposure to the public kept to minimum due to
security concerns.
Bush, his wife Laura and a 700-strong entourage were
greeted upon arrival at the Heathrow Airport yesterday by
Prince Charles, then whisked to the Buckingham Palace by U S
Military helicopter Marine One for the heavily guarded gardens
of the Palace.
In the palace, Queen Elizabeth II received them amidst royal pagentry complete with brass band and a 41-gun salute.
Shortly before Air Force One touched down at the airport it was announced that a visit this afternoon to the memorial in Grosvenor Square Mayfair near U S Embassy to the victims of the September 11 had been called off.
The Foreign Office said the President's schedule had always been fluid, but fears over his security are believed to have played a part in the decision that he should meet families of the British victims inside the embassy and not go outside to pay his respects at the memorial as was planned.
They took an aerial detour via Tower Bridge and landmarks of central London and flew directly over hundreds of protesters marching from the Srand to the U S Embassy.
The four-day visit is already overshadowed by the prospects of large street protests over Iraq where up 100,000 anti-war demonstrators are planning to march through the heart of Whitehall tomorrow.
Bureau Report
In the palace, Queen Elizabeth II received them amidst royal pagentry complete with brass band and a 41-gun salute.
Shortly before Air Force One touched down at the airport it was announced that a visit this afternoon to the memorial in Grosvenor Square Mayfair near U S Embassy to the victims of the September 11 had been called off.
The Foreign Office said the President's schedule had always been fluid, but fears over his security are believed to have played a part in the decision that he should meet families of the British victims inside the embassy and not go outside to pay his respects at the memorial as was planned.
They took an aerial detour via Tower Bridge and landmarks of central London and flew directly over hundreds of protesters marching from the Srand to the U S Embassy.
The four-day visit is already overshadowed by the prospects of large street protests over Iraq where up 100,000 anti-war demonstrators are planning to march through the heart of Whitehall tomorrow.
Bureau Report