(23 Nov 2002) SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot of U-S President Bush and Lithuanian President Adamkus at welcoming ceremony
2. Bush and President Adamkus walking along red carpet
3. Close up of Bush shaking hands
4. Wide shot of President Bush and Lithuanian president walking into awards ceremony
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Valdas Adamkus, Lithuanian President
"We have joined the North Atlantic Alliance, that commitment actually proves that we are to join the free world with full responsibility and commitment to fulfill all the duties, at the same time Mr President we're welcome you here and we're overjoyed that this visit, the first American president visited Lithuania ever, I believe this actually an indicator that the United States is going to continue its commitment to this region and planning to stand by us as it did through the tragic events of the 20th century."
6. Wide shot of ceremony
7. Close up of Bush
8. Lithuanian president pins medal on Bush
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U-S President:
"It shows that Lithuanians commitment to freedom, religious tolerance, shows that Lithuanias courage is being rewarded by membership in one of the great alliances ever formed."
10. President Bush and President Adamkus shakes hands
11. Presidents and their wives
12. Wide shot President Bush and President Adamkus greeting citizens outside presidential palace
13. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U-S President:
"In recent history the Baltic states truly is a miracle you've gained freedom, you've won independence, you now join a great alliance and you're miracle goes on."
14. Wide shot of Bush walking off stage and shaking hands with the crowd
STORYLINE:
U-S President George W. Bush on Saturday embraced Lithuania and other Baltic nations newly invited to join NATO and said the military alliance must defeat terrorism's "face of evil," just as the West confronted the Nazis and communists who oppressed this region for decades.
Bush saluted the courage of the Lithuanian people as he began whirlwind tour of some of the new member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).
Thousands gathered in Rotuse Square in Vilnius to hear the US President speak.
He is the first American president ever to visit this former Soviet republic.
"In the face of aggression, the brave people of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will never again stand alone," he said.
The three countries were among seven invited to join NATO this week, along with other former Eastern Bloc nations Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Earlier, at Vilnius' presidential palace, Bush received a large silver star medal and sash, order of Vytautas the Great -- the country's highest honour, as thanks for his support for Lithuanias invitation to NATO, which was extended by Bush and 18 other western leaders on Thursday.
"It is a great moment for us," said Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.
Lithuanian Antanas Sakalauskas, whose legs were run over by a Soviet tank during a 1991 freedom demonstration, saw "huge meaning" in Bush's visit.
Bush is expected to have a similar message for Romanians, whom he is to address later on Saturday in Bucharest's Revolution Square, site of the 1989 revolt that toppled communist rule.
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