GNS: US president makes surprise visit to US troops

• published: 21 Jul 2015
• views: 21

IRAQ BUSH 271103N 1. Hall where Thanksgiving meal is being held 2. Jalal Talabani, current president of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, wearing a US army hat 3. Paul Bremer, US administrator, meeting troops 4. Troops and officials sitting and applauding 5. Woman in crowd 6. Paul Bremer and Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez on stage announcing surprise visit 7. Bush walking to podium and receiving a standing ovation 8. Hall 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "I bring a message on behalf of America - we thank you for your service, we're proud of you and America stands solidly behind you." 10. Pan of troops applauding 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "The United States military is doing a fantastic job. You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so we don't have to face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen so the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom. By helping the Iraq people to be free, you are helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping build a democratic country in the heart of the Middle East you are defending the American people." 12. Soldier's hands as he claps, then pan up to side shot of soldier 13. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "I have a message for the Iraqi people - you have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever." 14. Troops standing and applauding at the end of Bush's speech, zoom in to Bush and Bremer 15. Bush meeting troops 16. Various of Bush with troops 17. Various of Bush going to serve food 18. Bush serving food to troops 19. Pan from soldier to Bush serving food 20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the U.S. military commander in Iraq: "It's just inspiring when you see that kind of leadership and you get that kind of reaction - it's very inspiring today to have him here." 21. Bush in Thanksgiving hall 22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US administrator in Iraq: "I think it's just wonderful, I tell you I was looking forward for a long time for a free Iraq." 23. Bush surrounded by troops 24. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop: US Serviceman: "It's great for morale, it's great. These soldiers appreciate him showing up and his words ring true and I think they understand what he's saying. It's a great day." 25. Bush posing with troops STORYLINE: US President George W. Bush made a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit to Baghdad on Thursday to thank and rally US troops in Iraq in the face of growing casualties. "You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so we don't have to face them in our own country," Bush said in a speech before some 600 US soldiers in Baghdad, who wildly cheered his appearance. Bush became the first US president to visit Iraq, but spent only two and a half hours on the ground before heading back to his ranch in Crawford, Texas. News of the trip was not released until the president's plane was in the air on the way back to the United States. The 600 troops, mostly from the US Army's 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne, had no idea Bush would be there. Bush surprised them as he unexpectedly appeared before them after Paul Bremer, the U.S. civil administrator in Iraq, told the troops that a person "more senior than I" will read the president's Thanksgiving proclamation. After the speech, Bush stood in a line for food and dished out sweet potatoes and corn for the Thanksgiving dinner and posed with a platter of a fresh-baked turkey. Plans for Bush's trip were tightly held among a handful of senior aides for fear of terrorist attacks against him in Baghdad. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1b1dcb6f4190a7fa5356f401d0ba9871 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork