Posted on 06/29/2006 2:29:45 PM PDT by GretchenM
President Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a press conference (text and video here) at the White House to discuss the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia (including North Korea), and enhancing closer cooperation on global economic issues (including Japan now agreeing to open its markets to US beef). This is Koizumi's farewell visit, as he steps down from his position as Prime Minister in September.
President and Mrs. Bush will host an official dinner tonight for the Prime Minister.
Secretary of State Rice continues her G8 Foreign Minister Summit visit in Moscow, before a July 15-17 summit of G8 leaders, to be held in St. Petersburg and hosted for the first time by Russian President Putin.
The US Supreme Court issued its ruling on the use of Guantanamo Bay. Bush told reporters Thursday that he would like to work with Congress to determine whether passing legislation setting up military tribunals is a valid option. Bush said, "The American people need to know this ruling, as I understand it, won't cause killers to be put out on the street. I was told this was not going to be the case … one thing I'm not going to do is jeopardize the safety of the American people."
Twins' News WaPo gossip column: Jenna Bush is reportedly going to take a teaching job in Latin America, potentially leaving around the end of summer. (Barbara recently moved to Manhattan, where she has a job in education programming at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.)
QUOTES: Bush: "Japan and the United States have built a strong alliance and a close friendship. Decades ago, our two fathers looked across the Pacific and saw adversaries, uncertainty and war. Today their sons look across that same ocean and see friends and opportunity and peace. ... ...You've had a remarkable tenure as the Prime Minister of your country. You have led with courage, you have made hard decisions. You've helped us change our relationship so that Japan and the United States will be able to work even closer together in the 21st century."
Koizumi: "I believe it is no exaggeration to say that over the past five years, there has been no world leader, alongside Mr. Bush -- President Bush, among the world leaders with whom I have felt so much heart-to-heart, felt so deep a friendship and trust and have cooperated with."
Bush: "Officially he's here to see the president but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the king," Bush said, referring to the visit he and Koizumi will make Friday to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. (White House officials said the trip to Graceland was Bush's idea, a final public tribute to a friendship that Bush has often described to American audiences.)
Regarding the USSC decision today: "Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a strongly worded dissent, saying the court's decision would "sorely hamper the president's ability to confront and defeat a new and deadly enemy." The court's willingness, Thomas said, "to second-guess the determination of the political branches that these conspirators must be brought to justice is both unprecedented and dangerous." Fox News report
Dose going up.
Truckloads of photos; please wait to post or repost photos till the all clear.
1
YES!!!
I want to see the Elvis stuff.
What a wonderful early surprise.
Reviewing U.S. military honor guard 
BRING ON THE BABES! Oh wait! This is BUSH'S presidency, not Bubba's.
"Greeting children during an official welcoming ceremony"
"cheered by Japanese schoolchildren at a White House arrival ceremony"
Saw Bush on C-Span this AM with the man who made "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green ?) they were having a ball.
Give me my toaster...:-)
hello!
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi bows as he steps to the lectern bearing the seal of the president as President Bush, unseen, welcomes him to a White House arrival ceremony 
Koizumi expresses his gratitude for sunny skies as he makes remarks to Bush. After a day of official discussions, the leaders will travel together Friday to Memphis, Tenn., for a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Koizumi is a lifelong fan of the late rock and roll legend. [Rank has privileges!] 
JONNY!!!
I haven't "seen" you in forever!!! How the heck are ya??
Thank you, Gretchen :)
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