Replies

QUOTES OF THE DAY

Mrs. Bush's Statement on Burma
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MRS. BUSH: Thank you, everybody, for coming out. I just want to make a few comments about Burma.

On Saturday, Cyclone Nargis swept through Burma. The storm affected more than 2 million people, and according to the Burmese media, killed thousands. The aftermath has left cities paralyzed, families separated and houses and businesses destroyed.

Americans are a compassionate people and we're already acting to provide help. The U.S. has offered financial assistance through our embassy. We'll work with the U.N. and other international non-governmental organizations to provide water, sanitation, food and shelter. More assistance will be forthcoming.

The United States stands prepared to provide an assistance team and much needed supplies to Burma as soon as the Burmese government accepts our offer. The government of Burma should accept this team quickly, as well as other offers of international assistance.

As they cope with this tragedy, the men and women of Burma remain in the thoughts and prayers of many Americans. It's troubling that many of the Burmese people learned of this impending disaster only when foreign outlets -- such as Radio Free Asia and Voice of America -- sounded the alarm. Although they were aware of the threat, Burma's state-run media failed to issue a timely warning to citizens in the storm's path.

The response to the cyclone is just the most recent example of the junta's failure to meet its people's basic needs. The regime has dismantled systems of agriculture, education and health care. This once wealthy nation now has the lowest per capita GDP in Southeast Asia.

Despite the havoc created by this weekend cyclone, as far as we can tell Burma's military leaders plan to move forward with the constitutional referendum scheduled for this Saturday, May 10th. They've orchestrated this vote to give false legitimacy to their continued rule. The proposed constitution was drafted in a flawed process that excluded opposition and some key ethnic groups. It would effectively give the military a veto over any constitutional changes. The constitution would prohibit democracy activists who are current or former political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, from taking office. To ensure their constitution becomes law, the regime has been intimidating voters and using force against dissidents. Public gatherings have been banned and printed materials may not be distributed without governmental approval.

As the date of the referendum draws near, there's been an increase in arrests of opposition party members and activists. This continues to take place, despite a call from the international community, and most recently from the United Nations Security Council, for Burma's government to ensure its referendum is free, fair and inclusive.

In response to the regime's continued repression, President Bush has instructed the U.S. Treasury Department to freeze assets of Burmese state-owned companies that are held in U.S. banks. This adds to actions last year to expand U.S. sanctions against Burma's regime, and to tighten sanctions against its top leaders. We thank the European Union, Canada and Australia for joining the United States in imposing similar restrictions. And we appeal to China, India, and Burma's fellow ASEAN members to use their influence to encourage a democratic transition.

Burma's ruling generals have had their chance to implement the good government they promised to their people. If it proceeds under current conditions, the constitutional referendum they have planned should not be seen as a step toward freedom, but rather as a confirmation of the unacceptable status quo.

Thank you all very much for giving me a chance to speak. I'm going to leave tomorrow for Crawford, for Jenna's wedding, and I wanted to be able to make a statement about Burma before I left.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Mrs. Laura Bush smiles as the Westminster Kennel Club's 2008 Best in Show winner, Uno, is introduced to invited guests Monday, May 5, 2008, in the East Room during the beagle's visit to the White House Monday, May 5, 2008. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

White House photos from yesterday that were not posted - thanks to Kaslin who sorted them for me

President George W. Bush stands next to Greensburg Schools Superintendent Darin Headrick before making remarks during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School graduating class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush makes remarks during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School Class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Superintendent of Greensburg Schools, Darin Headrick, (left), and Greensburg High School Principal Randy Fulton, as Senior Class President Jarrett Schaef gives the Salutorian address during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School Class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Greensburg Schools Superintendent Darin Headrick, (left), and Greensburg High Principal Randy Fulton, during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School graduating class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Greensburg Schools Superintendent Darin Headrick, (left), and Greensburg High Principal Randy Fulton, as Senior Class President Jarrett Schaef delivers the Salutorian address during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School graduating class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Greensburg Schools Superintendent Darin Headrick, (left), and Greensburg High Principal Randy Fulton, during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School graduating class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Megan Booth after presenting her with her diploma during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School Class of 2008. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush shares a smile with Aaron Widner after presenting him with his diploma during commencement ceremonies for the Greensburg High School Class of 2008. Aaron has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and will be attending Basic Training in the months to come. The town of Greensburg, KS was almost entirely destroyed when a tornado tore through the town one year ago today. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

First lady Laura Bush speaks in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, May 5, 2008, in Washington, on the cyclone in Myanmar (Burma). The death toll from a devastating cyclone in Myanmar could reach more than 10,000 in the low-lying area where the storm wreaked the most havoc, the country's foreign minister warned Monday.

Mrs Laura Bush addresses reporters in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room Monday, May 5, 2008 at the White House, urging the Burmese government to accept the humanitarian assistance being offered by the United States to the people of Burma in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis. White House photo by Patrick Tierney

Mrs Laura Bush addresses reporters in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room Monday, May 5, 2008 at the White House, on the humanitarian assistance being offered by the United States to the people of Burma in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Q Mrs. Bush, why such an historic interest? This is a first, for a First Lady to come to this podium and talk about a cyclone. Why such a historic interest?

MRS. BUSH: Well, you know I've been interested in Burma for a long time. It started really with an interest in Aung San Suu Kyi and reading her works and just the story of a Nobel Prize winner who's been under house arrest for so long, whose party was overwhelmingly elected in an election and then never able to take office. And so it started with an interest in her, and then just the more I've seen, the more critical I see the need is for the people in Burma to be -- for the world to pay attention to the people of Burma, and for the world to put pressure on the military regime.

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much. Thank you.

Q Any chance you'll let us cover it? (Laughter.)

Q No invitation for the White House press?

Q Is it true there is an altar of limestone --

MRS. BUSH: That's right, the President told that this morning on "Good Morning America." This was his idea, to build this beautiful limestone altar, and it's the Texas limestone -- the same that our house is made out of -- from a local quarry, and they're the ones that made it. Q Is it permanent? (Laughter.)

MRS. BUSH: It's permanent.

Q Is he more nervous or are you?

MRS. BUSH: Neither one of us are nervous. I'm very, very excited. It's a very interesting passage of life when you get to that time in your life when your child, first child is getting married -- and we're getting, for us, our first son. So it's a thrill and we're very happy about it.

Q When some grandchildren come will they be named George --

MRS. BUSH: George or Georgia -- Georgina. Georgette. (Laughter.)

Q President is more excited, or you are more excited?

MRS. BUSH: We're both really, really excited. We're very thrilled, and of course Jenna is so happy and Henry is very happy. And that makes their mother and dad really happy.

Q Why the wedding didn't take place here at the White House?

MRS. BUSH: Well, she just wanted to get married at home. She just feels a lot more comfortable there. And it will be really beautiful. This is the time when the wild flowers are all blooming. And I think it will be a very, very lovely wedding, and it will be very like Jenna and Henry. And of course, that's what we want. We want what she wants.

Q How early Sunday morning is the bike ride the President will -- (laughter.)

MRS. BUSH: Since he probably won't be staying up to dance the last dance, it will probably be early.

Bye, you all. Thank you very much. And thank you so much for covering Burma, and I hope you'll keep watching. Thanks a lot.

END 3:21 P.M. EDT

First lady Laura Bush leaves after a news conference on aid efforts for the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar at the White House in Washington, May 5, 2008.

Mrs. Laura Bush welcomes the Westminster Kennel Club's 2008 Best in Show winner, Uno, Monday, May 5, 2008 , to the East Room of the White House. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush looks on as the Westminster Kennel Club's 2008 Best in Show Winner, Uno, and his co-owner Eddie Dziuk address guests during their visit to the White House Monday, May 5, 2008, in the East Room of the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Better late than never - the ping !!!!

Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, meet in Jerusalem, Monday, May 5, 2008

I love this..Thank you, snugs.

All clear - please feel free to post or repost any photos or graphics in the spirit of this thread

How cuteeeeeee

Hey SNugs any word Boris Johnson causing meltdown because he won Saturday election for London mayor

BTW are they going release photo of Jenna Bush and soon to be new husband at the wedding

GREAT JOB, snugs!!! THANK YOU for the Burma reference. I can't believe that horrific government--ACCEPT OTHER'S HELP DUMMIES!

I love to see pics of our beautiful First Lady, with another love of mine...dogs ;---) <-Dachshund smile

Uno was such a cutie at the Westminster show!!

Thank you for the Dose, Snugs :)