President George W. Bush took time out Sunday night to chat with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, both in Russia for the meeting of G8 leaders.

'It's good to be here with my friend and our close ally,' said Bush. 'We just had a wide-ranging discussion, we talked about the Middle East, we talked about Iraq, we talked about Iran. I was pleased to inform and thank Tony for the good work in the United Nations on a unanimous resolution regarding North Korea.'

'We talked about trade, said Bush. 'We're both committed to a world that trades freely. All in all, it's a typical Blair-Bush conversation, it was wide-ranging and conclusive.'

'Well, thank you very much, Mr. President,' responded Blair. 'The President has indicated to you the subjects we discussed. And we went through basically all of the international agenda, as evidence of a very strong common agreement on the key questions.'

At this point a reporter asked President Bush, 'Israel's offensive in Lebanon appears to have no end in sight at this point. Are you willing to go along with Lebanon's call for a ceasefire?'

Bush replied, without answering the question, 'One of the interesting things about this recent flare-up is that it helps clarify a root cause of instability in the Middle East, and that's Hezbollah, and Hezbollah's relationship with Syria, and Hezbollah's relationship to Iran, and Syria's relationship to Iran. Therefore, in order to solve this problem it's really important for the world to address the root cause.'

It is good the president at least finds the Middle East crisis interesting. He hasn't shown much interest since events spiralled out of control a few days ago. In fact as we reported in the last day or so the president hasn't even had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert. Perhaps both men have been too busy.

'We, of course,' continued Bush, 'are in continued discussions with Israel. All sovereign nations have the right to defend themselves against terrorist attacks. However, we hope that there is restraint as people respond. And one of our concerns, of course, is the fragile democracy in Lebanon. So in order to solve this problem, the international community must address the root causes, otherwise there may be apparent calm and then all of a sudden there will be more conflict.'

'Remember,' Bush went on, 'Hezbollah started this by capturing two Israeli soldiers and firing rockets into Israel. And as we talk about Hezbollah, we must always remember that there is an issue in Gaza, as well. And we've discussed this issue and we will continue to work with the parties involved to solve that issue, as well.'

The reporter then had another crack with his question about the Lebanese proposal for a ceasefire. 'Mr. President, you've talked here about your concern about the fragility of the democracy in Lebanon, and the Prime Minister there calling for a ceasefire. Do you think that's needed now to protect his government? And, if not, why?'

Bush replied, 'My message to Israel is that as a sovereign nation, you have every right to defend yourself against terrorist activities. And, again, I repeat, this started because Hezbollah decided to capture two Israeli soldiers and fire hundreds of rockets into Israel from Southern Lebanon. That's the cause of the crisis.'

'And so our message to Israel is, look, defend yourself, but as you do so, be mindful of the consequences. And so we've urged restraint,' he added.

The reporter not giving up, asked a third time, 'What about a ceasefire?'

'Well, it's really important, this is a moment of clarification,' said the president. 'It's becoming clear for everybody to see some of the root causes of instability. I say, some of the root causes of instability, because there's still a militant wing of Hamas that wants to stop progress.'

'But let's step back for a minute,' he said. 'We were making progress toward a two-state solution, two democracies living side-by-side in peace. There's a Prime Minister from Israel, Olmert, who is dedicated to a two-state solution. He comes to the United States and holds a press conference and says, I am dedicated; as a matter of fact, I am so dedicated, I'm campaigning on the platform that if need be, we will unilaterally make the decision that there's a Palestinian state. That's a remarkable statement. He also said that he is willing to reach out to President Abbas, which he has done. He's also reached out to other nations in the neighborhood in order to, in order to make sure there's a negotiated settlement.'

President Bush continued, still without addressing the question of a ceasefire, 'As progress was being made, it obviously scared those who can't stand the thought of democracy. So you have the militant wing of Hamas act first, and then you had Hezbollah act. And in order to solve this problem, Dick, the world must address the root causes of the problem.'

'And so we have said to Israel, and we're in touch with Israel a lot remember, there's a fledgling democracy on your northern border, which will ultimately help you achieve the peace you want. And today, here at the G8, we'll discuss this issue. And one of the interesting things about this moment is it's now become clear to a lot of people why we don't have peace in the Middle East. It's a moment of clarification. And therefore, it's a moment that requires all of us to work together, to send a clear message, not only to Hezbollah, but to the Iranians, who finance Hezbollah, and to the Syrians who house Hezbollah,' said Bush.

The reporter then gave up, but another stepped into his shoes with another question. 'Mr. Prime Minister and Mr. President. Do you get a sense among the other leaders who are gathered here today that you are all on the same wave length when it comes to the Middle East? Or do some leaders have very different views about what's happening there?'

Bush jumped in first. 'I think most leaders are now beginning to recognize the root cause of the problem. Clearly, the Prime Minister does. And our respective political directors and foreign ministers and Secretary of States have been talking about this issue a lot. And there seems to be a consensus growing that in order for us to have the peace we want, that the world is going to have to recognize that there are terrorist elements who are dedicated to stopping the advance of democracy and peace. And, therefore, we must deal with those. And I repeat, there are two nation states that are very much involved with stopping the advance of peace, and that would be Iran, and that would be Syria,' said Bush.

Reporter: 'Mr. Prime Minister, can I just ask you on this, the Russians have said they feel Israel's use of force is excessive. What do you think of that? And could you just spell out exactly what influence the Russians, you think, have or could have in this situation?'

'Well, I think everyone is going to work very hard to find a common and unified position,' said Blair. 'But the essential point is this: We all want the situation to calm down, and we want it to calm down because we're mindful of the need to protect Lebanese democracy, and we're also deeply mindful of the need to try to re-engage people with the negotiated process towards a two-state solution, Israel and an independent, viable state in Palestine.'

'Now the question is,' he said, avoiding the question he was asked, 'how do we calm it down from this position now? And as the President was just saying a moment or two ago, the absolute essence of this, the only way we are going to get this situation calm and we're going to get the cessation of hostilities, is if we address the reasons why the situation has arisen. And the basic reasons are that there are extremists who want to interrupt the process that can lead to that two-state solution. Israel with its security protectors, a proper independent Palestinian state and there are also extremists backed, I'm afraid, by Iran and by Syria, who want to disrupt the positions in Lebanon and who want to create a situation of tension and hostility there.'

'So if we're going to make this work,' continued Blair, 'and we've got the U.N. mission that is out there now, and that's obviously very important, and we support it, if we want to make this work, we have got to deal with those underlying conditions that have given rise both to the problem in the Gaza and the problems into Lebanon. And I hope very much that everybody here, because we have a common position in supporting Lebanon and its democracy, and supporting the security of Israel, and supporting the two-state solution, since we're agreed on those basic fundamentals, we should be able to agree on a position here. And I think it would be a very good signal to send out to the world at this moment, that we can agree to such a position.'

To clarify further, the British prime minister added, 'I think that sometimes, for understandable reasons, there's been a hesitation in putting the real truth of this situation up to people, and the fact is there are those out in that region, notably Iran and Syria, who do not want this process of democratization and peace and negotiations to succeed.'

'Let me just say one thing,' interjected Bush. 'You've triggered a brilliant thought. (Laughter.) A couple of points. Kofi Annan is going to be here, and the United States, as well, supports the mission in the region. Secondly, of course, all of us care deeply about the loss of innocent life. And in thinking about that, I remember a year ago what took place during the G8 hosted by Tony. There were terrorist attacks in London, and there was a loss of innocent life. And there was outrage, as there should have been, and a determination to work together to protect life.'

'And that same determination must be applied to the Middle East, as well,' continued the president. 'The terrorists will do anything to achieve objectives. They went into London subways, they'll fire rockets into Israel, all aiming to disrupt, to destroy, to prevent free societies from flourishing, because they don't agree with freedom. And the stakes are high. And the stakes have been clarified once again, during yet another G8. And Tony and I will call upon our fellow leaders to come together and to make it clear that we reject this kind of violence, and that we will be steadfast in our support of freedom.'

So much for the press conference. No questions answered. Good to catch up George, Tony. By the way, what do you reckon about a ceasefire? Lets discuss it over lunch tomorrow.

Unfortunately for Bush and Blair their lunch on Monday was captured by an open microphone, unbeknowns to both.

Bush speaking to Blair: 'See, the irony is that what they need to do is to get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit, and it's over. What about Kofi? His attitude is basically, cease fire and everything else happens. You know what I'm saying?'

Blair: Yeah, the only thing's that really difficult, you can't stop this unless you get this international business agreed.'

Bush: 'Yeah.'

Blair: 'But you need that done quickly.'

Bush: 'Yeah, I think Condi's gonna go pretty soon.'

Blair: Right, that's, that's all that matters. See, it'll take some time to get that together, but it least it gives people....'

Bush: '..a process, I agree. I told her your offer, too.'

Blair: 'Well, it's only if it's, I mean, you know, if she's gotta, or if she needs the ground rule there, as it were. Obviously, if she goes out, she's got to succeed, as it were, whereas I can go out and just talk....'

Bush: '...see, the irony is that what they need to do is to get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit, and it's over.

Blair: 'Ah, yeah.'

Bush: 'Syria, right.'

Blair: 'Yes, I think this is all part of the same thing. Look, what does he (referring to Kofi Annan) think? He thinks, if Lebanon turns out fine, if he gets a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way....'

Bush: 'yeah, he's through.'

Blair: 'He's had it.'

Bush: 'Yeah. I felt like telling Kofi to call, get on the phone with (Syrian President) Assad and make something happen, instead of blaming Israel. We're not blaming the Lebanese government.....'

Reporters riveted by the conversation noted at this point that Blair had become (or been made) aware the microphone was on. He leaned down and switched it off. A ceasefire, so to speak. At last.