Posted on 01/24/2015 3:05:36 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
President Obama will forego a visit to the Taj Mahal during his visit to India in order to travel to Saudi Arabia for King Abdullah’s funeral, the White House announced early Saturday morning.
Vice President Biden was initially scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation, but he will instead now remain in Washington and Obama will add the stop onto his return from India, where the president is embarking on a three-day trip to foster economic ties with the nation.
“President Obama and the First Lady will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday, January 27 in order to pay respects to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the family of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.
“As the President’s and Vice President’s travel schedules became clearer, we determined that the window when the Vice President would be on the ground in Riyadh coincided with the President’s departure from India,” Earnest continued. “Accordingly, we adjusted the schedule in coordination with the Indian Government so that the President would be able to depart India following his speech on Tuesday to stop in Riyadh during the return trip to meet with King Salman and other Saudi officials and offer his condolences on behalf of the American people.”
King Abdullah, who died Thursday at the age of 90, was a key ally for the United States during his reign. The ruler invested the nation’s oil revenues into the country’s infrastructure and education, while also proving to be a critical partner with the U.S. against al Qaeda. However, he was also criticized by many for his nation’s slow advancement of progress for women.
Article’s last sentence cut off in error.
....Following his death, President Obama praised the leader as someone who was “dedicated to the education of his people and to greater engagement with the world” and heralded the “closeness and strength of the partnership between our two countries.”
The funeral of a tyrant, lest we forget. WORSE than apartheid for women, lest we forget.
I expect Obama will clear his calendar and travel to Cuba for Castro’s (any day now) funeral.
Barack and Michelle can give Jimmy and Rosalynn a ride to give their respects to the bloody commie dictator.
Indeed....without a doubt!!! ...But......a stabilizing influence in the ME.
The world has lost too many of these of late, then the REAL maniacs take over. A blessing compared to ISIS et al.
Rearranges his schedule to demonstrate his respect for the Saudi king. No time for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral. The man demonstrates his real priorities through his behavior.
Ironically there will not be a peep from the leftist feminists who would be wearing burkas if the Saudi king had his way.
surely, Bo will be accompanying him on this trip as his service dog
And China and Russia are permanent members if the U.N. Human Rights Council; Venezuela a 2015-2016 temporary member.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_Nations_Security_Council
>> King Abdullah was a key ally for the United States during his reign.
No doubt Yemen is a factor.
This trip makes sense notwithstanding the involuntary bowing.
Disregard: “And China and Russia are permanent members if the U.N. Human Rights Council; Venezuela a 2015-2016 temporary member.” (should be UN Security Council, though all three - and more - like Cuba - are on the human rights council]
Yes. This is the right call. It would be interesting to know how they went from wrong (sending Crazy Joe) to right.
Well the good news here is he will be closer to the front.
Too bad the Hajj is over. Obama could have gotten that out of the way on his side trip, too.
Incredible. The Indians have been preparing for this visit like crazy - I was reading that they had hired hundreds of workers literally to clean the streets by hand in preparation for Obama’s visit.
What a kick in the teeth.
No football this weekend!
That's OK, Michelle Antoinette can still visit the Taj Mahal. She hasn't had a vacation for a while, and she can get some ideas for her final resting place while she's there.
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