Bush flies into storm on first day of state visit to Britain

UNITED STATES President George Bush last night began his historic and controversial state visit to Britain amid unprecedented security.

After touching down at Heathrow Airport, Mr Bush and his wife Laura were flown to Buckingham Palace by the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to a private welcome by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

A few minutes earlier, they were warmly greeted by the Prince of Wales in a red carpet reception, complete with guard of honour, at the airport's VIP reception centre.

Mr Bush is the first US President to be accorded the honour of a full state visit. However, his trip has already been overshadowed by security concerns.

Police in London will work 14,000 shifts during the course of his stay with more than 5,000 officers on duty at any one time amid fears of disruption by anti-war protesters as well as possible terrorist attack.

For the Government, Chancellor Gordon Brown sought to set the tone for the visit, using his speech to the Confederation of British Industry's annual conference in Birmingham to speak warmly of the "shared values" of Britain and the US.

Mr Brown, who was accompanied to Birmingham by US Treasury Secretary John Snow, announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening ties, including an enterprise agreement and a technology transfer fund to enable British students to study in US universities.

He also signalled the government's hope the visit would see a breakthrough in the bitter dispute over US steel tariffs, which is threatening a full scale trade war with Europe.

"We know that damaging trade and regulatory disputes between Europe and the USA have hindered commerce and damaged transatlantic relations. It is time now for us all to make the effort to move beyond them," he said.

However there were reports last night that the White House had ruled out any announcement during the course of the visit.

The concerns of the anti-Bush camp were voiced by London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who complained the cost of policing the visit would add £2 (€2.85) to the average council tax bill in the capital.

"I think most Londoners would be happy to give £4 (€5.70) for him not to come," he said.

With tens of thousands of demonstrators expected to take to the streets of London tomorrow for the main protest march, Mr Livingstone offered them his support, while urging them to remain peaceful.

"You have the moral high ground. You are protesting against an illegal war and occupation and the world will be watching you.

"Your right to peaceful protest will be upheld by the Greater London Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service.

"But you also have responsibilities to the people of London and the wider world. There will be no place for violence of any kind in London this week. Protests must be peaceful and within the law."

Downing Street yesterday acknowledged the right of the anti-war campaigners and opponents of Mr Bush to protest, but said the voices of those ordinary people who welcomed the President should also be heard.

"The Prime Minister believes it's important that the voice of those people supporting the visit is also heard along with that of the protesters and that of the Government," the spokesman said.

The first full day of Mr Bush's visit today will largely be dominated by ceremonial, beginning with a formal welcome by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Palace.

Following a lunchtime speech at the Banqueting House on the transatlantic alliance, he will meet British families who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York.

In the evening, the President and the First Lady will be guests of honour at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.