A transcript of Bush-Blair óff the record" conversation at yesterday's G8 summit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5188258.stm Bush: Yo, Blair. How are you doing? Blair: I'm just... Bush: You're leaving? Blair: No, no, no not yet. On this trade thingy...[indistinct] Bush: Yeah, I told that to the man. Blair: Are you planning to say that here or not? Bush: If you want me to. Blair: Well, it's just that if the discussion arises... Bush: I just want some movement. Blair: Yeah. Bush: Yesterday we didn't see much movement.. Blair: No, no, it may be that it's not, it may be that it's impossible. Bush: I am prepared to say it. Blair: But it's just I think that we need to be an opposition... Bush: Who is introducing the trade? Blair: Angela [Merkel, the German Chancellor] Bush: Tell her to call 'em. Blair: Yes Bush: Tell her to put him on, them on the spot. Thanks for the sweater - it's awfully thoughtful of you. Blair: It's a pleasure. Bush: I know you picked it out yourself. Blair: Oh absolutely - in fact I knitted it!!! (laughter) Bush: What about Kofi? [Annan] - he seems all right. I don't like his ceasefire plan. His attitude is basically ceasefire and everything sorts out.... But I think... Blair: Yeah, no I think the [indistinct] is really difficult. We can't stop this unless you get this international business agreed. Bush: Yeah. Blair: I don't know what you guys have talked about, but as I say I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is, but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral. Bush: I think Condi [US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] is going to go pretty soon. Blair: But that's, that's, that's all that matters. But if you... you see it will take some time to get that together. Bush: Yeah, yeah. Blair: But at least it gives people... Bush: It's a process, I agree. I told her your offer to... Blair: Well... it's only if I mean... you know. If she's got a..., or if she needs the ground prepared as it were... Because obviously if she goes out she's got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk. Bush: You see the irony is what they need to do is get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this sh|t(e) and it's all over... Blair: [indistinct] Bush: [indistinct] Blair: Dunno... Syria.... Bush: Why? Blair: Because I think this is all part of the same thing... Bush: (with mouth full of bread) Yeah Blair: Look - what does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine. If you get a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way Bush: Yeah, yeah, he is sweet. Blair: He is honey. And that's what the whole thing is about. It's the same with Iraq. Bush: I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Assad and make something happen. Blair: Yeah Bush: [indistinct] Blair: [indistinct] Bush: We are not blaming the Lebanese government. Blair: Is this...? [Blair taps the microphone in front of him and the sound is cut.]