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.
I'll be watching it and recording as I watch it!
Do you think the man right behind him is a Secret Service agent? I know the one diagonally behind him is--I recognize him--but the one right behind him looks so young!
Absolutely--a great photo!
re: 24
Pootie Poot gives me the creeps! Look at his evil face!
What part of oh so much in love with eachother
don't those tabloids understand?!
Laura looks lovely today! Very nice outfit.
He's likely a young aide that travels everywhere with the President and right by his side at all times, ya think? Doesn't look Secret Service.
You did a really good job today Wolfstar. Thanks!
Perhaps you are right. I don't think he looks like Secret Service, either.
They're really funny. The one in which GWB makes that funny face made my day.
The guy behind GWB could be the President's personal aide. Hard to say.
Probably just one more way to get at the President. See, see America, Bush is so terrible even his wife is deserting him! Idiots.
LOL!
You're welcome, and thanks for your kindness. :)
Those tabloids are good at attempting
to start up trouble where there isn't any
...never was any...Never will be any.
A pathetic; how do they sleep at night? kind of job!
It's when summits and gatherings of world leaders like this occur that you can see the fruits of all the time and effort W puts into cultivating and maintaining good relationships among world leaders. And those relationships are essential when it comes down to being united on critical group positions. He knows exactly what he's doing.
I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall in the talks between W and Blair, because you know they're strategizing their moves. They're wonderful allies, and I'm so grateful for Blair and this bond they've formed .
We're watching a very high level of gamesmanship here. If Putin could be convinced to peel away a few of his secretive layers with anyone, it takes someone like Pres. Bush, with his savvy and humor, to get him to let down his guard a bit.
But I believe, like you Wolfie, that Putin is very paranoid, very insecure next to W, and he seems bent on gathering his own support to compete with and be an obstacle to W . . especially with Iran and his take on Israel ..and he was pretty pointed in some of sarcastic digs, masked with humor. Of course, he can always count on France, the feckless.
IMO Putin pooped on us at this event, but W's got and will play all his strong cards as needed.
Prayers for President Bush, Israel, our brave troops, and peace in the Middle East.
Of course. :)
The landscape has changed. Now, in addition to Blair, there's Harper, Merkel, and Koizumi. Add GWB's vote and that's five of the eight. Plus I really believe many nations have just had it up to here with the Islamofacists.
I think he may be the young man who is replacing Blake Gottesman as his personal aide. I read that Blake was going back to college. Blake is the guy that comes out and affixes the presidential seal to the podium right before GW is going to speak.
Laura really does look good in all of her pantsuits versus the beast and her crusty,smelly black ones, you would think the BEAST would get some fashion help, she has the money and hollywood connections
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