Business Channel 2007-0609&11

Script：

Now we move to northern Germany where the so-called G8 is underway among the leaders of the world's most powerful nations, and that would include President Bush. The truth is ,however, it's an uneasy gathering 1 and not just beneath the surface. Not everybody is happy with the US, nor is the US anxious to hear about it. Our chief White House correspondent David Gregory is traveling with the president tonight. David, good evening.

Brian, two big issues, of course, climate change and Russia's new threats against Europe, some sharp exchanges on those topics before this summit have now given way to statesmanship and politeness, raising the question about whether anything will actually get done here.

Back together again, the G8 leaders including some new faces huddled 2 for dinner tonight at the lavish 3 18th century estate on the Baltic Sea. They were far away from the thousands of protestors, some dispersed 4 by water cannons 5 when they blocked the roads to the summit, others in a seated standoff with police. Under warm sunshine, the leaders mingled 6. President Bush, doing his best to mask the simmering clash over the climate, talked of sheer goals.

One of course is the reduction of green house gases.

Germany's Angela Merkel and other European allies don't want goals, they want action. Strict caps on emissions 7 with the US leading the way. Agreement is unlikely at this summit if you listen to the scientific showdown. The German Chancellor's climate man says one thing.

The problem is you cannot filibuster 8 any more on the climate problem, it's so urgent really.

The President's climate man says another.

And the only area of disagreement is the G8 should dictate 9 the national policies of its members, and that's, that's not typically the way the G8 acts.

There is an atmosphere of uneasiness among the allies again this year. The bitterness over the Iraq war has subsided 10. That's no longer discussed really. But there is a new headache, Russia's Vladimir Putin going nuclear over a missile shield in Europe. The president speaking to reporters off camera today seemed to dismiss Putin's threats to aim missiles at Europe again if the US goes forward. Quote"we are not at war with Russia, Russia is not going to attack Europe"he said.(Hanging out we are good company, all right. )It took a rock star to lighten the mood today, Bono and Bush seeing eye to eye on tackling African poverty.

The president is in an expansive boot on this trip, speaking at length today to reporters about Russia, about climate change and foreign affairs more generally, even known to have spoken about the heated race now to succeed him in the White House. Brian.

All right, David Gregory, covering the G8 in Germany for us tonight, David, thanks


Notes:

1. filibuster: v. obstruct 11 deliberately 12 by delaying; of legislation

2. Bono Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known as Bono, is the lead singer and principal lyricist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, and is an Academy Award nominee 13 and Grammy winner.

3. see eye to eye with sb: To agree with someone; to concur 14; to get along.

4. be in an expansive boot: in high spirit, glamorous; talktive and sociable