Posted on 10/15/2003 7:26:53 AM PDT by Valin
National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice previewed the trip President Bush will begin on Wednesday. Stops on the ten-day tour surround his attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Thailand.
Bush will first stop in California to participate in a roundtable discussion and deliver a speech on housing and the economy. He will meet with Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) before attending a Bush-Cheney fundraising event.
Rice said that Bush's travel to Asia and Australia would focus on reaffirming alliances that are critical to the war on terror as well as advancing fair and free trade.
President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will arrive in Tokyo on Friday afternoon and dine with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi, before departing Saturday morning for the Philippines.
In Manila, the President will address a joint session of the Philippine Congress and attend a state dinner hosted by President Arroyo. In an unusual move, Bush will leave the Philippines immediately following the dinner arriving in Thailand for a state visit.
There, Bush will attend the APEC conference in Bangkok.
Rice said, "At APEC the President will discuss our shared goals for free trade an open markets with APEC's leaders. He will also stress the need to put security at the heart of APEC's mission because prosperity and security are inseparable."
During his stay in Thailand, the president will deliver remarks to the troops of the Royal Thai Army who have been integral contributors to Afghanistan and Iraq. Bush will also attend a state dinner hosted by the King and Queen.
While in Thailand, the president will hold bilateral meetings with President Roh of Korea, President Fox of Mexico, and President Hu of China.
From there, it is on to Singapore to meet with President Nathan followed by dinner with Prime Minister Goh. The following morning, Bush will depart Singapore for Bali, Indonesia, where he will meet and have lunch with Indonesian President Megawati.
During the visit to Bali, President Bush will also meet with moderate Muslim leaders to "pay tribute to the tradition of religious tolerance in the world's most populous Muslim nation."
The trip concludes with a stop in Canberra, Australia to meet with Prime Minister Howard and address the Australian Parliament.
Following the recitation of the president's schedule, Rice fielded questions from the White House press corps. A question about the Iraq Stabilization Group elicited a denial by the National Security Advisor that its formation was "a slap" at Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Rice firmly stated, "First and foremost, this is the policy of the President of the United States, and we all work for him."
She continued, "The Defense Department and Secretary Rumsfeld remain the lead agency in the reconstruction of Iraq... [N]othing has changed in that."
Rice explained that the purpose of the Iraq Stabilization Group was to "make certain that there is good interagency coordination and work so that this reconstruction can go forward."
"We have to make sure that we're mobilizing the entire U.S. government," Rice said.
She added, "I'm the National Security Advisor; what I do is coordinate policy. I don't operate, I don't implement, I coordinate policy. It is the Secretary of Defense who will continue to run the postwar reconstruction, as he has done and as he has done well."
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"I'm the National Security Advisor; what I do is coordinate policy. I don't operate, I don't implement, I coordinate policy. It is the Secretary of Defense who will continue to run the postwar reconstruction, as he has done and as he has done well."
Conde's a cowgirl. (^;
Good recap of the President's upcoming visit to our Pacific Coalition allies, w/o the usual inappropriate DNC commentary included.
Thank you Talon News!
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Condi shoots straight from the hip!!
Thanks for the post, Valin.
Thanks for the ping, RC.
Yep. I guess facts aren't as interesting and exciting as what the press make up, huh? sheesh!
I loooooove getting on the press's case about their lack of facts, which is what I've been doing - again - tonight. heh heh heh Always some great ammo here at FR!
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