(10 Nov 2007)
1. Wide shot of helicopter arriving with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
2. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush walking towards the helicopter
3. Mid of George Bush, Laura Bush with Angela Merkel and her husband Professor Joachim Sauer
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, President of the United States:
"Laura and I are thrilled to welcome the Chancellor and Professor Sauer to our place. In Texas, when you invite somebody to your home, it's an expression of warmth and respect, and that is how I feel about Chancellor Merkel. So Chancellor welcome, and we are looking forward to having constructive talks as well as a chance to relax."
5. SOUNDBITE: (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor:
"I would like to express warm gratitude to George for issuing this invitation. At first glance this area looks like a wonderful place to be, a wonderful atmosphere. We have a number of issues which I think we will have time now to discuss. I'm very grateful we could do this in such a pleasant, such a wonderful atmosphere, and that we can see each other here again, and I must say that I am again very thankful to you Mr. President for the fact that we can have this exchange of views, and to you Laura thanks as well."
6. Wide of President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
7. Mid of Bush and Merkel shaking hands
8. Various of Bush and Merkel walking to his vehicle
9. Mid of Bush and Merkel getting into the vehicle
10. Various of Bush and Merkel driving away
11. Wide shot of Bush and Merkel arriving at ranch
STORYLINE:
US President Bush George W Bush is hosting German Chancellor Angela Merkel at his Texas ranch.
Merkel's visit to President Bush's Texas ranch marks a second trip in quick succession by European leaders to the United States. French President Nicholas Sarkozy was in the country less than a week ago, on his first official trip, when he received a warm welcome.
Speaking on Merkel's arrival at his ranch in Crawford, Bush said he looked forward to their talks in a relaxed setting.
"In Texas, when you invite somebody to your home, it's an expression of warmth and respect and that's how I feel about Chancellor Merkel," he said.
Merkel is in the United States on an official visit, accompanied by her husband Professor Joachim Sauer.
Along with US First Lady Laura Bush, the couples drove off for a short tour of the ranch and then dinner.
Bush and Merkel's weekend discussions will be dominated by Iran's nuclear programme, Middle East peace, a dispute over Kosovo's independence demands from Serbia, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bush is expected to urge Germany and other NATO allies to stay in the fight in Afghanistan.
It's thought that Merkel will emphasise the need to keep Russia a partner in facing international challenges at a time when Moscow's support is crucial for additional sanctions against Tehran.
Upon taking office in 2005, Merkel became one of Bush's closest European colleagues after her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, opposed the US led invasion of Iraq.
However, the two leaders have had their disagreements, with Merkel often calling for the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to be shut down.
Meanwhile, Bush has criticised Germany for not allowing its troops to fight alongside the Americans in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
Nations such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain have restricted their troops to relatively peaceful areas in Afghanistan's north.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss elections in Lebanon, the recent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Myanmar, and climate change.
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