President comments on death of Reagan

(6 Jun 2004) SHOTLIST
1. Walk in shot of US President George W. Bush
2. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, US President:
"This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences. Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humour that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save. During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you. He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done. And now a shining city awaits him. May God bless Ronald Reagan."
3. Bush leaving and walking up staircase

STORYLINE

US President George W. Bush mourned former president Ronald Reagan on Saturday as a great American who "leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save".

Speaking in Paris, Bush called Reagan's death "a sad hour in the life of America".

The US president, who is in France for the D-Day ceremonies, was notified of Reagan's death at about 2210 local time (2010 GMT) by White House chief of staff Andy Card.

Bush hastily summoned reporters to the residence of the US ambassador in Paris where he was staying overnight in between meetings with French President Jacques Chirac and Sunday's D-Day 60th anniversary ceremony in Normandy.

The president said he had talked to Reagan's widow, Nancy, and offered her his nation's prayers and condolences.

In remarks, Bush expressed the nation's thanks to Reagan for his contributions to the United States and the world.

Reagan died on Saturday at his home in California. He was 93.

Reagan's two terms in office were marked by a thaw in the Cold War with the Soviet Union, a nation he had called the "Evil Empire".

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