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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bush ends Europe tour in Bulgaria | Bush ends Europe tour in Bulgaria |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| US President George W Bush is in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, on the final leg of an eight-day European tour. | US President George W Bush is in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, on the final leg of an eight-day European tour. |
| His talks with Bulgarian leaders are expected to focus on independence for Kosovo and the siting of a proposed US missile defence system in Europe. | His talks with Bulgarian leaders are expected to focus on independence for Kosovo and the siting of a proposed US missile defence system in Europe. |
| Both issues have led to increased tensions between the US and Russia. | Both issues have led to increased tensions between the US and Russia. |
| Mr Bush's tour has taken him to the summit of G8 leaders in Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Albania. | Mr Bush's tour has taken him to the summit of G8 leaders in Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Albania. |
| Defence fears | Defence fears |
| Mr Bush is expected to thank Bulgaria for its support in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Mr Bush is expected to thank Bulgaria for its support in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Diary: On tour with Bush Q&A: Kosovo's future | Diary: On tour with Bush Q&A: Kosovo's future |
| More than 3,000 US troops are due to start arriving at a new base in Bulgaria in September, as part of a US policy to move many of its European forces closer to the Middle East. | More than 3,000 US troops are due to start arriving at a new base in Bulgaria in September, as part of a US policy to move many of its European forces closer to the Middle East. |
| The former Communist bloc nation joined Nato in 2004, and became a member of the European Union this year. | The former Communist bloc nation joined Nato in 2004, and became a member of the European Union this year. |
| The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Sofia says Bulgaria is worried about being left out of plans for the new US missile shield - which include a new radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland. | The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Sofia says Bulgaria is worried about being left out of plans for the new US missile shield - which include a new radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland. |
| Russia opposes the plan, which it regards as a threat, and President Vladimir Putin has threatened to point Russian missile at Europe in response. | Russia opposes the plan, which it regards as a threat, and President Vladimir Putin has threatened to point Russian missile at Europe in response. |
| Mr Putin was speaking in the context of new US bases in Bulgaria and Romania, and this is a concern for Sofia, our correspondent adds. | Mr Putin was speaking in the context of new US bases in Bulgaria and Romania, and this is a concern for Sofia, our correspondent adds. |
| The US says its missile shield is not directed at Russia, but at "rogue states" such as Iran. | The US says its missile shield is not directed at Russia, but at "rogue states" such as Iran. |
| While in Bulgaria, Mr Bush is also expected to discuss the case of five Bulgarian nurses fighting death sentences in Libya on charges of infecting children with the Aids virus. | |
| 'Distinguished guest' | 'Distinguished guest' |
| On Sunday, Mr Bush received a hero's welcome in Albania, a staunch ally in America's "war on terror". | On Sunday, Mr Bush received a hero's welcome in Albania, a staunch ally in America's "war on terror". |
| He met Albanian soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and reiterated his support for the UN's plan for Kosovo's independence from Serbia. | He met Albanian soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and reiterated his support for the UN's plan for Kosovo's independence from Serbia. |
| He said it was time to "get moving" on Kosovo despite opposition from Russia. | He said it was time to "get moving" on Kosovo despite opposition from Russia. |
| In Kosovo, Prime Minister Agim Ceku welcomed Mr Bush's support. In Belgrade, however, a spokesman for Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's party said his government would "reject any such proclamation". | In Kosovo, Prime Minister Agim Ceku welcomed Mr Bush's support. In Belgrade, however, a spokesman for Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's party said his government would "reject any such proclamation". |
| The G8 failed to reach consensus on the issue this week, with strong opposition from Russia to the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April. | The G8 failed to reach consensus on the issue this week, with strong opposition from Russia to the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April. |
| On a quick trip outside the capital, Mr Bush was given a hero's welcome by Albanian supporters - in contrast to the protests that have followed Mr Bush elsewhere in Europe. | On a quick trip outside the capital, Mr Bush was given a hero's welcome by Albanian supporters - in contrast to the protests that have followed Mr Bush elsewhere in Europe. |
| No major protests were expected during his visit to Bulgaria. | No major protests were expected during his visit to Bulgaria. |