British prime minister arrives at Camp David

07/30/2007

(CNN) – President Bush welcomed new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Camp David late Sunday afternoon, as they hold their first meetings since Brown took office.

Brown landed at Andrews Air Force Base in a driving rain, and boarded a presidential fleet helicopter for the flight to Camp David. The weather had cleared and the sun was shining as the chopper touched down. Mr. Bush greeted Brown as he stepped off, with 3 Marines carrying American flags and 3 Navy sailors carrying the Union Jack in place. They then walked past a military honor cordon of 10 Marines and ten sailors lined up in two rows.

They posed for pictures and chatted as a smiling Mr. Bush led Brown to a waiting golf cart. Pool reporters said Brown could be heard chuckling as the two walked. Brown said, “It’s a great pleasure to be at Camp David. It has so much history associated with it. Do you come here quite a bit?” The President replied, “I do, a lot”.

Mr. Bush drove the cart, labeled “Golf Cart One” with just the two men on board, with the President making a full circle in front of the camera before driving down the path.

The two are expected to have dinner Sunday night. They will hold meetings Monday morning where more weighty subjects including Iraq and terrorism will be discussed. The two leaders then take part in a media availability.