World News 14-11-2003 Bush To Meet Families of War Heroes who: George W Bush what: Plans to meet families of dead British servicemen on UK visit where: LONDON when: Next week snippet: "President Bush is to tell British families bereaved by the Iraq war that their loved ones died fighting for a noble cause and that he grieves for their sacrifice," reports The Times on an joint interview with the Press Association, The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times in the Oval Office on Wednesday "in advance of his state visit next week, Mr Bush set out to woo Britons with a mixture of charm, flattery and statesmanship. He expressed sorrow for the victims of the war, but made clear he had no regrets over Iraq." "He repeatedly lavished praise on Tony Blair, describing him as a steadfast and forthright ally," reports The Scotsman, "and said he was pleased there would be demonstrations in London when he arrives as this demonstrates the strength of Britain`s democracy." "I can understand people not liking war, if that`s what they`re there to protest. I don`t like war. War is the last choice a president should make, not the first," he says, quoted in The Telegraph. "And, yet, we are at war. That`s what September the 11th taught us. It`s a different kind of war. And I intend to, so long as I`m the President, wage that war vigorously to protect the American people." Meanwhile, The Independent reports in detail on the scale of the coalition`s presence in Iraq, listing country-by-country the number of troops sent to the war zone and the numbers of fatalities experienced by each. Reporters Rupert Cornwell and Phil Reeves conclude that Mr Bush has failed to expand the coalition and attract "a credible group prepared to provide troops in the numbers required". Even Poland, which has one of the largest occupying forces, "has little or no experience of such an operation". [... more]

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