Freedom is a beautiful thing

BBC Breakfast with Frost, Sunday 16 November 2003.

President Bush gave a robust defence of the situation in Iraq

In an exclusive interview for BBC Breakfast with Frost, filmed at the White House, President Bush told Sir David Frost that he was not phased by the prospect of mass demonstrations against his state visit to Britain this week.

Asked what message he would give the protestors, the President said;

Freedom is a beautiful thing, I would first say ... aren't you lucky to be in a country that encourages people to speak their mind?

And I value going to a country where people are free to say anything they want to say.

President Bush defended the war against Saddam Hussein and paid tribute to Tony Blair for supporting it.

He described their strong bond, saying;

The key to my relationship with Tony is he tells the truth and he tells you what he thinks. And when he says he's going to do something, he's going to do it.

Speaking about the change in American strategy in Iraq, and the decision to hand power back more quickly to the Iraqi people, the President told Sir David;

They need to know two things: we're not going to cut and run; and two, we believe they have the capacity to run their own country.

On the subject of the British detainees held by the American authorities at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, the President said he was working closely with the Prime Minister to come up with a solution.

President Bush said;

They are being well-treated, and they will go through a military tribunal at some point in time ... a military tribunal which is ... in line with international accords.

Conservative Party was right

Tory victory 'possible'

Back in the studio in London, Peter Sissons interviewed the former Prime Minister John Major, who made his first public comments on the recent change of Conservative leader.

Asked if the party had been right to get rid of Iain Duncan Smith, Mr Major replied;

It is painful to say that but I think the evidence of the last few days suggests that it was.

Mr Major said that Michael Howard presented a genuine alternative Prime Minister and that the Tories could win the next election.

Mr Major also talked about a newspaper interview with the new Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, in which Mr Davis said he personally supported the restoration of the death penalty for serial killers.

I think this is David expressing a personal view which people will agree with, but it is not party policy, it isn't going to become party policy,

Mr Major said.

Papers were reviewed by Amanda Platell and Peter Riddell

Peter Sissons also talked to the opera singer Bryn Terfel, currently enjoying chart success with a cross-over album including popular songs.

The newspapers were reviewed by Amanda Platell and Peter Riddell.

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