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MR BUSH DRIVING DR MERKEL in his pick-up truck at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. He said the invitation to visit the ranch was a sign of the respect and warmth he felt for the German Chancellor. -- PHOTO: AP
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CRAWFORD (TEXAS) - US PRESIDENT George W. Bush donned black tie for French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the White House on Tuesday.
On Friday, he paid a perhaps even bigger compliment to German Chancellor Angela Merkel: He put on his jeans, his much preferred attire, and drove her in his pick-up truck to his personal home.
Bringing Dr Merkel to his central Texas ranch here marked another step in Mr Bush's aggressive, weeklong charm offensive directed at two pro-American leaders from Europe.
He said he looked forward to their talks in a relaxed setting.
'In Texas, when you invite somebody to your home, it's an expression of warmth and respect, and that's how I feel about Chancellor Merkel,' he said after jumping out of his truck to welcome her and her husband Joachim Sauer at the helipad.
The German leader told her host: 'Already, a first glance of the area shows that this is indeed a wonderful place.'
Along with First Lady Laura Bush, the couples drove off in the truck for a short tour of the secluded ranch.
They had a homey dinner of arugula salad, beef tenderloin, sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and cheese grits, topped off with pecan pie and ice cream.
The leaders' weekend discussions will be dominated by Iran's nuclear programme, the Middle East peace process, a dispute over Kosovo's future status and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Bush will urge Germany and other Nato allies to stay in the fight in Afghanistan.
Dr Merkel wants to impress upon the US leader the need to keep Russia as a partner in tackling international challenges.
AP
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