Bush facing tough Paris talks

Putin bids farewell to Bush on Sunday

PARIS, France -- U.S. President George W. Bush has arrived in France on the latest stage of his four-nation tour of Europe.

Bush arrived in Paris on Sunday from Russia and was due to be taken to the Elysee Palace for a meeting with President Jacques Chirac, who has strong reservations about some key U.S. policies.

Security was tight with about 3,500 police deployed around Paris to provide security for the visit amid threats by several pressure groups to hold demonstrations.

Up to 30 organisations have joined forces for two high-profile protests on issues ranging from a possible U.S. attack on Iraq to Washington's policies on the Middle East, trade and the environment.

Chirac and Bush are expected to discuss the U.S.-led war on terrorism, the tension between India and Pakistan, the Middle East, and trade relations between Europe and the United States. (Full story)

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France has been alarmed at Bush's decision to unilaterally pull out of the Kyoto global warming treaty and to abandon a deal to set up a permanent international criminal court.

European allies are also concerned about U.S. tariffs imposed on steel imports, Washington's long-term commitment to NATO and what they see as a pro-Israeli Middle East policy.

On Monday, Bush will visit the American Cemetery in Normandy to deliver a Memorial Day speech to honour the U.S. soldiers who died in the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. (Full story)

Bush has already visited Germany and Russia, where he signed a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty with President Vladimir Putin, and from France he will travel to Italy.

In a speech to the German Bundestag, Bush offered reassurance that the U.S. remained a friend and ally despite the differences with Europe on some issues.

Bush travelled to France from St Petersburg where he and his wife, Laura, spent Saturday with Putin.

On Sunday morning, Bush attended church services at the Russian Orthodox Kazan Cathedral, which was turned into the Museum of Atheism during the Soviet days.

Afterward, he met Jewish leaders at Choral Synagogue and was to tour the Russian Museum.

"One of my strong beliefs is that people should be free to worship, and I'm pleased that is taking place in Russia," Bush said outside Grand Choral Synagogue.

"It is important for this country that religious freedom flourish and that there be tolerance for all faiths."

Putin and Bush and their wives go sightseeing St. Petersburg

Avraham Berkowitz, executive director of Jewish Communities, said: "President Bush's coming here today is a statement that even though he's here to discuss nuclear arms reduction, he also believes protecting the rights of minorities is paramount in democracy."

Before leaving for Paris, Bush told reporters that he has "strong reservations" about a series of Pakistani missile tests that began Saturday, but hoped India would not view the tests as a sign of provocation.

Bush noted that both countries are nuclear powers and "everybody understands the dangers ... and the serious consequences." (Full story)

"Obviously we hope that there is restraint in the area," he said.