US President Bush departs for Asia trip

Описание: (1 Mar 2006)
AP Television
Washington, DC
1. Close-up US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush depart White House
2. Close-up couple walk up steps of helicopter
3. Various views helicopter leaving White House
POOL
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
4. Mid view helicopter arriving at Base
5. Close-up Bush getting off helicopter
6. Close-up pan couple walking up steps to Air Force One
7. Mid view crew salutes as Air Force One taxis on runway
8. Various views aircraft taking off
STORYLINE:
United States President George W. Bush left Washington, DC on Tuesday on a trip to Pakistan and India to cement two crucial US alliances and possibly hammer out a landmark agreement to share civilian nuclear technology with India.
Bush will first fly to India, where he will be greeted by business and government officials eager to boost trade and military ties - and by crowds of protesters.
Bush departed from Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, DC about 1:45 pm local time (1845 GMT).
He was due to arrive in India on Wednesday.
The five-day trip comes amid political turmoil for Bush in Washington.
He has been roundly criticised for his response to Hurricane Katrina and for a surge in bloodshed in Iraq.
Most recently, members of Bush's own Republican Party have revolted over a decision to allow a Dubai-based company to manage six major US ports.
Critics have also voiced concern at this latest attempt to build closer ties with India and Pakistan.
Pakistan is a key US ally, but many in Washington want to see Islamabad make stronger efforts to dismantle training camps for insurgents.
Bush has indicated he wants to make sure Pakistan elections scheduled for next year are free and fair.
Critics say Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has refused to allow true democracy.
Bush has also said he will use his visit to urge Pakistan and India to build on ties forged after a devastating October earthquake in order to create a lasting peace in the troubled Kashmir region, parts of which are claimed by both countries.
But it is the nuclear negotiations with India that are likely to be the trip's focus.
The effort is seen as the cornerstone of the emerging US-India alliance, and, by some, as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in Asia.
Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July signed an agreement that would provide India with much-needed nuclear fuel in return for stronger Indian safeguards.
Talks between the countries have been held up over which of India's nuclear facilities are to be designated as civilian and which are to be considered military.
The pact must eventually be approved by the US Congress, where lawmakers have expressed frustration with the administration for what they described as a lack of information about the deal.

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