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Bush, Chirac pledge to move beyond wrangling over Iraq
Evian, Jun 02 : US President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac ended their personal feud over the Iraq war today saying they both support efforts for the reconstruction of the country.
Evian, Jun 02 : US President George W. Bush and French
President Jacques Chirac ended their personal feud over the
Iraq war today saying they both support efforts for the
reconstruction of the country.
"I know there are a lot of people in both our countries
wondering whether or not we can actually sit down and have a
comfortable conversation. And the answer is absolutely," Bush
said, with Chirac standing next to him.
"We can have disagreements but that doesn't mean we have to be disagreeable to each other," he said.
Chirac, who was having the translation whispered into his ear, smiled and nodded.
The two leaders staged a reconciliation on a terrace outside a hotel where world leaders were holding their annual summit, the group of eight meeting. The French President escorted Bush to a table and put his hand on Bush's shoulder; they ended the session with a hand on one another's back.
"We'd like a cup of coffee, please,' Bush joked as they posed for photographers ahead of a private, one-on-one meeting.
Bush thanked Chirac for his warm hospitality and said they had a "really good meeting."
"We can have disagreements but that doesn't mean we have to be disagreeable to each other," he said.
Chirac, who was having the translation whispered into his ear, smiled and nodded.
The two leaders staged a reconciliation on a terrace outside a hotel where world leaders were holding their annual summit, the group of eight meeting. The French President escorted Bush to a table and put his hand on Bush's shoulder; they ended the session with a hand on one another's back.
"We'd like a cup of coffee, please,' Bush joked as they posed for photographers ahead of a private, one-on-one meeting.
Bush thanked Chirac for his warm hospitality and said they had a "really good meeting."