Bush in UK ahead of summit

George W Bush will be in the UK until Friday

US President George W Bush has arrived on his first official visit to the UK ahead of Friday's G8 summit in Genoa, Italy.

Mr Bush arrived to a red carpet welcome at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Wednesday at 2056BST, accompanied by his wife Laura.

But he was also greeted by placard-waving protesters opposed to his decision to press ahead with the "Son of Star Wars" missile defence programme.

Mr Bush will only have time for a whistlestop tour ahead of travelling to Genoa with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

There he is expected to face more strong criticism over his withdrawal from the Kyoto agreement on global warming and the proposed missile defence system.

The prime minister and I talk quite frequently on issues that are of concern to world peace

President George Bush

Mr Bush was given a fanfare from an RAF band before being driven off to stay at the London residence of the newly appointed US Ambassador, William Farish.

About 20 demonstrators waved banners proclaiming "No Star Wars" as his motorcade swept from the RAF base.

On Thursday he will have lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and meet prime minister Tony Blair at Chequers, where he will stay overnight.

He will also take time out for a trip to the Reading Room at the British Museum, where he and the First Lady will read to local schoolchildren.

Mr Bush, an admirer of Winston Churchill, will also visit the Cabinet War Rooms on Horse Guards' Parade, scene of some of Churchill's finest moments.

Threat from protesters

The Campaign Against Climate Change is planning a demonstration in Trafalgar Square on Thursday and security during the visit will be tight in light of the threat of direct action by climate or anti-Star Wars protesters.

Amnesty International is also planning a protest against the use of the death penalty in the US.

Mr Blair is expected to urge America to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Kyoto treaty, which it refused to sign.

The prime minister enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, but Anglo-American relationships have been strained by disagreements over climate change.

Bush's UK schedule

18 July:

arrived at RAF Brize Norton

Stays at US embassy, London

19 July:

sees the Cabinet war rooms at Horse Guards.

visits the Reading room at the British museum

lunch with the Queen

Meets Tony Blair at Chequers

20 July:

leaves for Genoa

Tony Blair told MPs at Wednesday's session of prime minister's questions there was disagreement with the US on the treaty.

"What is important is that the US administration has agreed that the end of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is important and right and we are now debating the means," he continued.

Mr Blair said Britain remained committed to the Kyoto agreement and he hoped to "bridge the gap" on the issue.

Special relationship

Before leaving Washington for RAF Brize Norton, Mr Bush told reporters he thought the so-called special relationship between the two countries was as strong as ever.

He said: "The prime minister and I talk quite frequently on issues that are of concern to world peace.

"We don't agree on every single detail of issues, but we do agree that the relationship is special and unique. And I think it is very strong."

Firm stand

Mr Bush said he expected some heated disagreements in Genoa, but reaffirmed his pledge to "get rid" of the 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty, which the Son of Star Wars programme breaches.

It was a clear sign he had no intention of backing away from missile defence or other contentious issues when confronted by European critics.

The Russians see the ABM treaty as the cornerstone of nuclear security.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said the treaty was a matter for its two signatories, the Russians and the Americans, who were approaching the issue in "a constructive way".

He said the prime minister understood the US concerns about a post-Cold War threats that lay behind the missile defence scheme.

Blair and Clinton: forged strong friendship

"He agrees, as he stated at the talks in Camp David, that we need a broad strategy to deal with proliferation, and one that encompasses both offensive and defensive systems."

Teetotal Mr Bush's itinerary for his British visit contrasts markedly with past visits by his predecessor Bill Clinton.

The Blairs and the Clintons were famously relaxed in each other's company and enjoyed dining out at fashionable restaurants.

Mr Bush previously met the Queen when his father was president during a private lunch at the White House.