Posted on 11/20/2005 3:30:04 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush, attended church in China early Sunday. He then went for a mountain bike ride with the Chinese team that is in training for the Olympics.
Excerpts from the President's remarks to the Travel Pool, St. Regis Hotel, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 6:12 P.M. (Local)
THE PRESIDENT: We started our day here going to a church service that was really uplifting. I was -- I wasn't sure what to expect, and I can tell you that the service was full of spirit, and the preacher gave a really good sermon. She was -- I'm sure you made her nervous with all the cameras and everything, but she was really good. And it was a wonderful way to start the morning.
As I mentioned to the President [of China], as well as to you all on the steps of the church, a society that welcomes religion is a wholesome society, it's a whole society. And I felt like the church service was an affirmation of my strong belief that people should be able to worship freely, and I shared that with President Hu.
I was also pleased with our talks with both President Hu and Premier Wen. We have a complex relationship and it's a really important relationship. I mean, China is a big, growing, strong country. And it's very important for me to maintain a good working relationship with the leadership here...the reason that's important is...it enables me to talk about the values that are important to America. It also enables me to talk about the interests of our workers and farmers. China is a trading partner, and we expect the trade with China to be fair. We expect our people to be treated fairly here in this important country.
And so I had a chance to talk about a variety of subjects -- intellectual property rights and the currency, access to our markets for U.S. beef. And it was a good, frank discussion.
Finally, I had a bike ride. I'd like to clarify my comments. Compared to Crawford, this trail is a great bike trail and really difficult. It is clear that I couldn't make the Chinese Olympic cycling team. But I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to ride with those six young Chinese athletes. And I hope they enjoyed it, as well. It was a good experience.
Now I'll be glad to answer some questions, starting with Jennifer.
Q Thank you, sir. Can you talk about why you have chosen to talk more about the need for greater religious freedoms in China, than the need for greater political freedom?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, they go hand-in-hand. A society which recognizes religious freedom is a society which will recognize political freedoms, as well. China has undergone an amazing transformation in its economy. It's a much freer economy than any time in its past. And as a result, the people are becoming more prosperous. I've always believed that a free economy will yield a freer political system.
Let's see -- Mike.Q Thank you very much, Mr. President. If I might follow up Jennifer's question. When you expressed to President Hu the importance of people being able to worship freely, did he express any interest in helping people of various faiths do that? Did he make any commitment to you for improvements? And, Mr. President, how repressed or restricted do you believe Christians are right now in this country?
THE PRESIDENT: It's a really interesting question. You know, Dr. Luis Palau was with me, and we spent time in the limousine on the way to the church talking about his views of Christianity here in China. He believes there are about a hundred million Christians, and that they are -- they're worshiping in a way that is able to call upon the Almighty to help them through their lives. And that's the spirit I found in the church.
President Hu is a thoughtful fellow. He listened to what I had to say. And I thought it was very interesting in his comments that he talked about human rights. Those who watch China closely would say that maybe a decade ago a leader wouldn't have uttered those comments. He talked about democracy. And so to answer your question, he took it on board in a very thoughtful manner.
Al-Zarqawi May Be Among Dead in Iraq Fight
By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer
55 minutes agoBAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces sealed off a house in the northern city of Mosul where eight suspected al-Qaida members died in a gunfight — some by their own hand to avoid capture. A U.S. official said Sunday that efforts were under way to determine if terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was among the dead.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the identities of the terror suspects killed in the Saturday raid was unknown. Asked if they could include al-Zarqawi, the official replied: "There are efforts under way to determine if he was killed."
On Saturday, police Brig. Gen. Said Ahmed al-Jubouri said the raid was launched after a tip that top al-Qaida operatives, possibly including al-Zarqawi, were in the house in the northeastern part of the city.
During the intense gunbattle that followed, three insurgents detonated explosives and killed themselves to avoid capture, Iraqi officials said. Eleven Americans were wounded, the U.S. military said. Such intense resistance often suggests an attempt to defend a high-value target.
American soldiers controlled the site Sunday, and residents said helicopters flew over the area throughout the day. Some residents said the tight security was reminiscent of the July 2003 operation in which Saddam Hussein's sons, Odai and Qusai, were killed in Mosul.
Pinging you to a Sunday Dose with great mountain bike riding pics.
#1?
Hi, Wolfstar!
GO, COWBOYS! (How 'bout that Mon. Nite game!)
So ready to see these great pictures. Love that the President went to a church service in China! Very courageous of him and really made a statement! WOW!
Getting started.
Leading the pack.
Thanks Wolfstar, as ALWAYS:) I read and look at this thread every day... don't post often but so appreciate that it's here!
Have you seen that we MAY (stress MAY) have gotten Zarqawi?
Thanks for the thread!
Working it.
top 10 ?
....and besides everything else....he has cute legs! LOL!
Guest Pastor Dr. Luis Palau (L), an international evangelist, Reverend Xinli Yu (2nd L), President Bush, Pastor Ying Dufeng (2nd R), and First Lady Laura Bush. The President opened his visit to China by attending a church service and, in a human rights message to leaders in Beijing, said a "healthy society" thrives on religious freedom.
I sure hope so. I'll believe it when they run DNA from remaining pieces...parts is parts.
I wonder if the terrorist who takes over will be even worse..?
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets Rev. Liu Hongling at the Gangwashi Church.
Surrounded by U.S. and Chinese security, President Bush leaves church holding the pastor's hand.
He sure does! :)
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