Planes fly into restricted zone at Bush resort

DONNELLY, Idaho - In separate incidents, two small planes wandered into restricted air space over the Idaho resort where United States president George W Bush is staying, but he was never in danger, the White House said.

The planes committed a "minor violation of temporary flight restrictions" put in place to protect the president, White House spokesman Trent Duffy told reporters.

"The president was never in any danger and the systems designed to protect him worked effectively," Duffy said.

Duffy said the planes were directed to land, both pilots were questioned by local law enforcement and secret service agents and released.

The White House spokesman said the matter was referred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for any administrative action.

The FAA would be responsible for any sanctions or license-revocation issues that might arise in connection with the incidents.

In a break from his month-long Texas vacation, Bush is staying at Tamarack Resort in the Idaho mountains 145km north of Boise. Bush, who has sought to counter anti-war protesters and sagging public opinion about the war in Iraq, is scheduled to deliver a speech and meet with a group of military families on Wednesday in Idaho.

Bush went fishing for "a couple of hours", Duffy said.

- REUTERS