Bush and Swedish PM on Iraq, Guantanamo

Описание: (28 Apr 2004)

1. Wide shot of President Bush in Oval Office meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson
2. Close shot, Persson
3. Cutaway, press
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush
"And what you must realize is happening in a place like Fallujah is, the closer we come to passing sovereignty, the more likely it is that foreign fighters, disgruntled Baathists or friends of the Shia cleric will try to stop progress. That's what's happening. They want to kill innocent life to try to get us to quit. And we're not going to. And our military commanders will take whatever action is necessary to secure Fallujah on behalf of the Iraqi people."
5. Wide shot, Bush speaking
6. Cutaway, press
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush
"Most of Fallujah is returning to normal. There are pockets of resistance, and we will -- our military, along with Iraqis, will make sure it's secure."
8. Wide shot, Bush and Persson
9. Cutaway, press
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Goran Persson, Sweden Prime Minister
"He has been there for two years. He should be released or brought to trial. That is the two alternatives, and we need to come to an end with this discussion. And I've expressed it clearly and had good response from the President."
11. Persson walks out of White House to press stakeout in White House driveway
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sweden Prime Minister Goran Persson
"My impression is that we have a new climate emerging, where the UN and US will find a common position and that would result in a resolution in the Security Council. I don't think the US will be the resistant part. I think the UN itself, and the UN bodies will be extremely careful before they go to the final resolution, and that I think is a good start in going to a negotiation, and I am quite confident in the end, there will be a resolution."
13. Wide shot, Persson


STORYLINE:

The Prime Minister of Sweden, Goran Persson, was in Washington on Wednesday where he met at the White House with US President George W. Bush.

The meeting came amid fresh fighting in Fallujah, Iraq, and new questions about the ceasefire US military commanders claim is still in effect.

Speaking to reporters at an Oval Office photo opportunity following the meeting with Prime Minister Persson, President Bush said military commanders are taking the necessary action to secure Fallujah for the security of the Iraqi people.

Bush insisted most parts of Fallujah are returning to "normal" despite three days of battles with insurgents, and he said only "pockets of resistance" remain.

The president said the terrorists and Baathist insurgents want the US to "quit," and postpone the June 30th transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people.

But Bush said it's not going to work, and called the June 30th deadline a "firm date."

Both Bush and Prime Minister Persson said they had a "friendly but frank meeting" about issues of mutual concern.

Persson said he asked Bush about the status of a Swedish prisoner currently being held in Guantanamo Bay, and said he is concerned that the detainee has been there for two years without a hearing or a trial.

Persson did elaborate further on the conversation, except to say he had a "good response from the President".

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on the issue of Iraq, the Prime Minister said he believes "a new climate is emerging," in which the United States and the United Nations will find a common position regarding the security and rebuilding of Iraq following the June 30th deadline.


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