(14 Dec 2008) SHOTLIST
1. US President George W. Bush speaking at podium, standing next to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
2. Zoom out, Bush shaking hands with al-Maliki
3. Bush starting to speak, man identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya television, stands up and throws shoe at Bush, Bush ducks. Pull back wide, man throws second shoe, Bush ducks. Security hold man on the floor UPSOUND: shouting
STORYLINE
His legacy forever linked to an unpopular war, President George W. Bush visited Iraq under intense security on Sunday and declared that the long, hard conflict was necessary to protect the United States and give Iraqis hope.
But he got a size-10 reminder of the fervent opposition to his policies when a man threw two shoes at him - one after another - during a news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
"This is the end," shouted the man, later identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt.
Bush ducked both throws. Neither leader was hit.
In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt - Iraqis whacked a statue of Saddam Hussein with their shoes after US Marines toppled it to the ground after the 2003 invasion.
"All I can report," Bush joked after the incident, "is a size 10."
The US president visited the Iraqi capital just 37 days before he hands the war off to President-elect Barack Obama, who has pledged to end it.
Keyword wacky bizarre
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