[AlexW]

I will post any interesting events. I have a ticket to the actions, and will post what I see.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I'm the only FReeper in Tijeras every week.

[Phantom Lord]

I have a ticket to the actions, and will post what I see

What is "the actions"?

[knittnmom]

Where is Bratislava?

[Rutles4Ever]

I believe Bratislava is wear the cook-out was invented.

[reagan_fanatic]

Is that anywhere near Peoria?

[GOP_1900AD]

My condolences (not so much about the locale, but, at this time of year ... grim, very grim .... )

[AlexW]

So, I am FR's man on the street.
Actions started on Monday, and with a wind blown snowstorm.
The sky has cleared and the city workers have been great at clearing the streets.
It was strange to see workers erecting a massive sound stage with seating for hundreds, as the snow was covering everything.
Security is heavy but not too restrictive.
There are almost 5000 police on the street in the area of the activity.
Everything is centered at Hviezdoslavovo Square, a nice pedestrian avenue, of about 1000 feet.
It is also home to the 3 big 5 star international hotels, as well as the American Embasy.
I went into the square this morning and had to pass through a checkpoint where everyone was searched, but not a problem.
Rumor is that President Bush will be at the Radisson Carlton.

It is amazing to see so many police, all in bright green vest.
Police seem to outnumber the visitors.

My friend, Vladimer, a Slovak, managed to get me a ticket to the events, starting at 9:30 AM, local time.
It may be my first chance to see our president.

I will send more post as the day unfolds.

[CaptRon]

Am I the only Freeper in Bratislava this week?

Something tells me you might be the only FReeper in Bratislava every week...

[Rushmore Rocks]

Bratislava is a beautiful city. I was there last summer. We drank "Almdudler" at a charming sidewalk cafe. Wish I were there now to join you in the "actions".

[Drango]

Rove is a FReeper and he may be there....(Hey, it's a rumor)

[Grzegorz 246]

If you meet Puti Poot, tell him that he may kiss my ass.

[Billthedrill]

BTT. I'm envious. I look forward to reading ALL about it!

[bd476]

Bush & Putin: The Slovakia Summit

[bd476]

President Bush arrives for Bratislava Summit

Posted: 23.02.2005 at 20:31:53 - 25 views

Bratislava, February 23 (Bratislavaguide.com) - President Bush landed in Bratislava on Wednesday at 8 pm and was transported across a cleared city probably to the residence of the US Ambassador Ronald Weiser in the Slavin district where he is expected to spend the night.

Air Force One landed at the Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport just before 8 pm and the President was welcomed by Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic, Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and other members of the Slovak Government.

George W. Bush is scheduled to speak to Slovak citizens in the Hviezdoslavovo Square on Thursday around noon after meeting President Putin earlier in the day at the Bratislava Castle. Tickets have been issued to various institutions and handed out by the US Embassy, Slovak Foreign Ministry and the City of Bratislava.

President Bush arrives for Bratislava Summit

[bd476]

Some interesting background on Slovakia from

The Slovak Spectator
Slovak soldiers will stay in Iraq [5/3/2004]

From press reports

SLOVAKIA is not withdrawing its soldiers from Iraq.

"We must not be cowards; on the contrary, we must continue to be members of the international coalition that has decided to wage a victorious war against terrorists," said Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda.

"It is impossible to negotiate with terrorism, or achieve an agreement or a compromise, because that would backfire. I think that it is necessary to show strength, morale, courage, and continue the fight and win it," Dzurinda told the private news agency SITA.

The PM emphasized that the international coalition in Iraq must succeed and ensure that the people of Iraq have their own legitimately elected government on the basis of a newly adopted constitution.

But while the PM defends the Iraq mission, pressure at home is growing in the Slovak parliament to have the Slovak troops withdrawn.

The opposition Slovak Communist Party (KSS) recently demanded that the cabinet and Defence Minister Juraj Liška submit a proposal to parliament to immediately withdraw Slovakia's military engineers from Iraq.

The majority of Slovaks are in favour of withdrawing the troops, a new survey showed.

The opinion poll, carried out by the Slovak weekly magazine Live!, showed that 75 percent of respondents would like to see the troops withdrawn, and the majority of those in favour of the move are supporters of the parliamentary opposition parties.

Slovak soldiers will stay in Iraq

[RushCrush]

My sister Nicole lives in Bratislava....so a sister of a FReeper is there :)

[Robert A Cook PE]

Cool.

My great-great grandparents are from Osuska & Jablonicia (just across the mountains from Trnava (sp?) a little north of you.

My dad flew us there this past October to see the villages. We spent several nights in Bratislava: near the Cathedral and castle.

[SuzanneWeeks]

Oh I am so jealous!
My paternal grandparents are from Bratislava.

I still remember how happy they were when Slovakia split from Czechoslovakia.

We are not Czech, my grandfather would always say, we are Slovak. :)

Miss them so...

Suz

[nutmeg]

find later bump