A Day in the Life of President and Mrs. Bush (overseas; photos): 6.21.06

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov ^ | Wednesday June 21, 2006 | GretchenM

[GretchenM]

After being in Vienna for the EU-US summit for talks ranging from the Iran nuclear standoff to ways of reducing the West's foreign energy dependence, President and Mrs. Bush arrived in Budapest for a brief visit. The Bush's and SoS Rice listened to the Vienna Boys' Choir, among other cultural activities.

President and Mrs. Bush participated in a roundtable with foreign students in Vienna.

[GretchenM]

QUOTE: (Addressing foreign students) "I just want to assure you of one thing, that I believe that freedom is universal. I don't think freedom is just a right for American citizens, I don't think it's just a right for people who practice religion one way. I think it is the right of everybody, who lives everywhere. I believe that free societies end up yielding peace and hope. And that's the cornerstone of my foreign policy."

[GretchenM]

Dose going up - lots of photos.
Please wait to post or repost photos till the all clear.

[Txsleuth]

Austria bump

[LuvyaDubya]

hello

[GretchenM]

These are NOT in any great order.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer gives a kiss on the hand of First Lady Laura Bush before entering Air Force One en route to Budapest at Vienna's Schwechat airport, on Wednesday

Leaving on a jet plane; don't know when I'll be back again ...

[GretchenM]

Arriving in Budapest

[GretchenM]

Laura Bush answers a question from a student regarding what a day at the White House is like as President Bush looks on during a roundtable discussion at the Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria. Early to bed, early to rise. That's a typical day at the White House, says Laura Bush.

[mafree]

Top 10?? Hi folks!!

[GretchenM]

Laura Bush and Krista Schuessel, wife of the Austrian Chancellor, walk past a poster showing a painting of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart during a visit to the Albertina gallery in Vienna

Laura Bush has a guided tour through St. Stephan's Cathedral

[GretchenM]

Being shown a 12th century Admont Giant Bible by curator Dr. Ernst Gamillscheg, right, at the Austrian National Library in Vienna

The library reminds me of the one in "Gulliver's Travels" or "Beauty and the Beast."

Vienna Boys' Choir performance

[GretchenM]

Bush is shown the America volume of the 'Atlas Blaeu-Van der Hem', a 17th century atlas, by curator Jan Mokre as he takes a tour of the Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, June 21, 2006. Representing the entire surface of the Earth, the 50 volume Atlas Blaeu-Van der Hem is often considered the most beautiful and most remarkable atlas ever composed. Containing more than 2,400 maps, prints, and drawings, it offers a pictorial encyclopaedia of seventeenth-century knowledge ranging from geography and topography to warfare and politics.

[Brasil]

Saw the presser and loved the spirited answer to the smarmy question about 'approval' rates.

[GretchenM]

"... with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, right, European Union Council Secretary General Javier Solana, left, and Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, second right, at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, ... President Bush began talks with European leaders on Wednesday amid rising tension across the globe about North Korea 's apparent plans to test a long-range ballistic missile believed capable of reaching U.S. territory."

Austrian President Heinz Fischer, right, gestures as he talks to U.S. President George W. Bush prior to their talks at Vienna's Hofburg palace

[Wolfstar]

Hi Gretchen. Thanks for today's Dose. I like that suit the First Lady is wearing.

[GretchenM]

joined by Ursula Plassnik, Austria's Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as they stand with President Heinz Fischer of Austria for a photo opportunity prior to their meeting at Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

[newconhere]

He has a great smile.

[GretchenM]

Bush meets with President Heinz Fischer of Austria, right foreground, at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Joining the President are, from left: Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten; Susan McCaw, U.S. Ambassador to Austria; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Steve Hadley, National Security Adviser, and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow.

Bush is welcomed to Hofburg Palace in Vienna by Austria's President Heinz Fischer.

[GretchenM]

Talking to the press

With Austrian President Heinz Fischer prior to their talks in Vienna

[GretchenM]

Bush and Austria's President Heinz Fischer stand with Ursula Plassnik, Austria's Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rice

with Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel of Austria, center, and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna during U.S.-EU Summit. Said the President, "We talked about democracy and new democracies, and I want to thank the European Union for its strong support of Afghanistan and Iraq."

Listening to media question

With Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel of Austria, center, and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso

[Texagirl4W]

God bless President Bush and all who are traveling with him abroad. May they all have a successful and safe trip back home.