Bush, Blair debate Iraq on final day of summit

BELFAST (AFP) Apr 08, 2003
US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed the Iraq war with their foreign ministers Tuesday on the second and final day of their summit in Northern Ireland.

The two leaders, who held a working dinner at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast on Monday, met for breakfast, then got a briefing from military commanders on the latest war developments in Iraq, officials said.

They met afterwards at Hillsborough with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, then took a private walk in the gardens of the Georgian manor prior to a late-morning press conference.

Bush and Blair, joined by Ireland's Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, were also to discuss progress towards peace in Northern Ireland over lunch at Hillsborough, where security was tight.

The summit, during which the two leaders also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is the third time that Bush and Blair have met face to face in less than a month.

It was also their second meeting since their nations went to war against Iraq on March 20.

et-msa-rom/yad

SPACE.WIRE