Posted on 07/16/2006 2:08:25 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and First Lady are in Russia for the G8 summit, which will conclude tomorrow. In addition to attending the group sessions, President Bush held a series of bilateral meetings with key leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and French President Jacques Chirac.
Significantly, the President also had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, which was characterized as "on the sidelines" of the G8 summit. (China is not a member of the G8.)
Here is a link to the White House transcript of their joint press conference held after their meeting.
Here is a link from the article in Kyodo News about bilateral U.S.-China summit.
Regarding the Middle East crisis, the G8 struggled to come to an agreement, but did issue a joint statement. Led by President Bush, who pointedly said that Israel has a right to defend herself, the statement by the G8 leaders said:
The recent crisis "results from efforts by extremist forces [Iran and Syria] to destabilise the region and to frustrate the aspirations of the Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese people for democracy and peace."Hezbollah and Hamas, though not named, were ordered to "immediately halt their attacks" to avoid plunging Middle East into "chaos" and provoking a wider conflict.
Israel's right to defend itself was confirmed by the G8 leaders, but they asked Israel to be "mindful of the strategic and humanitarian consequences of its actions."
In other words, the G8 statement closely parallel's President Bush's position. British Prime Minister Tony Blair also said Israel has a right to defend herself, and he accused Iran and Syria of undermining efforts to build a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Here is a link to a transcript of the G8 leaders' complete statement.
THE WEEK AHEAD: Skimpy news today, primarily because the President's schedule has not been finalized for next week.
The President will campaign in Colorado for Republican congressional candidate Rick O'Donnell, who is seeking the seat of Rep. Bob Beauprez, who is running for governor. This open seat is the 7th Congressional District in suburban Denver.The White House would not confirm the President's plans for next week after he returns from Russia. Ken Lisaius, a White House spokesman, said GWB's schedule for next Wednesday is still to be announced, and he has no public events scheduled for Thursday. The schedule could change, he said.
However, NAACP leaders said yesterday that they were optimistic President Bush would attend the organization's 97th annual convention next week in Washington.
"I am hopeful that he has decided to attend," said Bruce S. Gordon, president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "I cannot confirm that he will be there, but I'm optimistic."
Paul Brathwaite, the Congressional Black Caucus' communications director, who has spoken with leaders planning the meeting, said Bush is expected to speak at the conference Thursday.
Now they're whining that President Bush is not acting like a unilateralist cowboy to stop Israel. The Dims also want GWB to give up the six-party talks and negotiate unilaterally with North Korea.
Hmmmmm...hypocrisy, thy name is Democrat.
Pinging you to the Sunday Dose. Lot's of news from the G8 summit.
President Bush drives his electric cart as he arrives for a dinner during the G8 summit today in Russia.
The President making an impish face to someone off camera as he arrives for the first negotiating session this morning -- driving, of course.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (on steps) waves to President Bush as he arrives for the second negotiating session today. GWB again drove the cart -- of course. ;-)
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hi
Top ten?
This photo is so interesting because of the body language. President Bush and his good friend, the Japanese Prime Minister stand next to each other waiting for the photo to be snapped. Putin stands next to GWB while that false U.S. "ally," Chirac of France, bends Putin's ear. Like many Russian leaders before him, Putin, of course, is playing two ends against the middle.
Bush, Chirac, Putin, Blair and Harper -- more interesting body language.
Putin looks a little sheepish (or is it cagey?) in this one.
Hi mystery...might have known I had no chance against YOU. lol But look how CLOSE I came...
President Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. Koiumi is always so irrepressible, and this is Harper's first G8 summit. So they both enjoyed being tourists a bit.
President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac.
President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Just a quick hello before I take the family out for dinner for the first time in almost a year. I'll be back later. (wave)
Dubya and Tony in a vigorous conversation.
Thanks for the ping and the dose
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