(10 Mar 2008)
1. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arriving at the White House
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Bush, US President:
"His goal is to reassure people that the United States is committed to a vision of peace in the Middle East. That we expect that the relevant parties to obligate themselves, uphold their obligations on the road map. That we fully see the threats facing the Middle East. One such threat is Iran. And that we will continue to bolster our security agreements and our relationships with our friends and allies. The Vice President will be taking a very hopeful message to the Middle East that progress in Iraq is necessary for peace in the Middle East."
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Bush, US President:
"Well I think there is a commitment to a system that respects Polish sovereignty, that will ensure that the people of Poland will not be subjected to any undo security risks. That the system is necessary to deal with the realities of the threats. Obviously there is a lot of work to do because many times you know a strategy on paper is a little different from the details. And so experts are working through the system to make sure that, you know, the Polish people are comfortable with the idea. This is the kind of issue that all kinds of rumours and worries can grow out of and we just want to assure people that it's necessary and at the same time there will be this modernisation effort that takes place."
4. SOUNDBITE: (Polish) Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister:
"What is really very important is what we stressed in the conclusion of this meeting today, that we wanted to stop the speculation on intentions expressed by the United States and expressed by Poland. Our joint intention is to cooperate in all aspects of global security, American security, and Polish security. And an element of the security is the missile defence system. What I would call a breakthrough is my conviction that the President of the United States and the American people understand quite clearly our expectations. And if I may use this expression, I think that you have set the perspective of Poland on the principle of the cooperation here. And as you said, Mr. President, all the technicalities pertaining to the face of the negotiations and all those technical issues, they will be solved by experts."
5. Tusk and Bush shaking hands
STORYLINE:
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said US President George W. Bush on Monday removed key stumbling blocks in negotiations to allow U.S. missile defence interceptors on Polish soil.
Negotiators appear hung up over Poland's demand for help in upgrading its military in exchange for allowing the interceptors.
Tusk said the joint intention was to cooperate in "all aspects of global security, American security, and Polish security. And an element of the security is the missile defence system."
"What I would call a breakthrough is my conviction that the President of the United States and the American people understand quite clearly our expectations," he continued.
Bush said there was "a lot of work" to do on the programme and that "experts are working through the system to make sure that, you know, the Polish people are comfortable with the idea."
The two countries have been negotiating Polish demands for help in upgrading its military in exchange for allowing the missile defence interceptors.
Bush is also dispatching Vice President Dick Cheney to the Middle East to get Israelis and Palestinians to hold firm to the promises they have made toward peace.
Cheney departs Sunday for a trip to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey.

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