Posted on 01/12/2008 2:36:06 PM PST by STARWISE
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
The President continues his travels to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt from January 8-16, 2008.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Jan. 12, 2008 ~ President George W. Bush reaches out to greet members of the military in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY
President's Radio Address ~ January 12, 2008
Good morning. I'm speaking to you from the Middle East, where I have been meeting with friends and allies. We're discussing how we can work together to confront the extremists who threaten our future. And I have encouraged them to take advantage of the historic opportunity we have before us to advance peace, freedom, and security in this vital part of the world.
My first stop was Israel and the Palestinian Territories. I had good meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas. Both these men are committed to peace in the Holy Land. Both these men have been elected by their people. And both share a vision of two democratic states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side by side in peace and security.
I came away encouraged by my meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Each side understands that the key to achieving its own goals is helping the other side achieve its goals. For the Israelis, their main goal is ensuring the safety of their people and the security of their nation. For the Palestinians, the goal is a state of their own, where they can enjoy the dignity that comes with sovereignty and self-government.
In plain language, the result must be the establishment of a free and democratic homeland for the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a free and democratic homeland for the Jewish people. For this to happen, the Israelis must have secure, recognized, and defensible borders. And the Palestinians must have a state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent.
Achieving this vision will require tough decisions and painful concessions from both sides.
I believe that a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians that defines a Palestinian state is possible this year. Prime Minister Olmert made clear to me that he understands a democratic Palestinian state is in the long-term security interests of Israel. President Abbas is committed to achieving this Palestinian state through negotiation.
The United States cannot impose an agreement on the Israelis and Palestinians -- that is something they must work out themselves. But with hard work and good will on both sides, they can make it happen. And both men are getting down to the serious work of negotiation to make sure it does happen.
The United States will do all we can to encourage these negotiations and promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. But the international community has a responsibility to help as well.
In particular, the Arab nations of the Gulf have a responsibility both to support President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad, and other Palestinian leaders as they work for peace, and to work for a larger reconciliation between Israel and the Arab world. And in my meetings with Arab leaders over the next few days, I will urge them to do their part.
A democratic Palestinian state is in the interests of the Palestinians. It is in the long-term security interests of Israel. And it is in the interests of a world at war with terrorists and extremists trying to impose their brutal vision on the Middle East.
By helping the Israeli and Palestinian people lay the foundation for lasting peace, we will help build a more hopeful future for the Holy Land -- and a safer world for the American people.
Thank you for listening.
President George W. Bush reaches out to King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa as he deplanes Air Force One Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, after arriving at Bahrain International Airport in Manama, Bahrain.
This was ALMOST the Photo of the Day .. look at that smile and the smiling Bahrainis.
President George W. Bush enjoys the moment with performers Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, after being presented with a sword by King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, left, during arrival ceremonies in Manama, Bahrain.
Today, in Kuwait, with Gen. David Petraeus, Amb. Ryan Crocker, Sec. Condoleezza Rice and our awesome troops
President George W. Bush emphasizes a point as he speaks to troops at Camp Arifjan Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Kuwait. Said the President, "There is no doubt in my mind when history is written, the final page will say:
Victory was achieved by the United States of America for the good of the world; that by doing the hard work now, we can look back and say, the United States of America is more secure, and generations of Americans will be able to live in peace."
Thank you for hard work in posting the pictures of our great president today
I emailed my daughter and asked if they’d had a ‘guest’ in town and if he was was in her neighborhood. She was very excited and sent me two pictures - one of soldiers gathered outdoors in the early morning obviously awaiting the president’s arrival. The other is inside the facility where you can see the girders over the president’s head. It was grainy and dark - I think she used a zoom lens. Over there they thought the trip was classified and she was surprised that I knew about it.
I would presume because of the volatility of
the region and that fact that there were
outright serious threats against the life
of Pres. Bush. The last thing any of us
can see him doing would be to put his
precious Laura in any danger.
The security for this trip is mind boggling.
I never knew there’s a complete, modern
operating room aboard Air Force One. I do
now.
This is idle speculation...but Laura did say she and Jenna were going to sit down after the first of the year and plan the wedding.
I saw a news clip today that said Jenna left town today to go to Peru for unicef so maybe they just had a small window to plan said wedding.
You’re welcome .. it took ? amount of hours ... LOL.
Lynne, don't you LOVE the orange Sanity Island photo? I was thinking of you ... LOL. It's so beautiful. Look at those orange clouds ... I've never seen clouds that color.
Jan. 12: President George W. Bush, right, greets military personnel on stagein Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
I’ve listened to it about 7 times .. LOL. Thank you!
Thank you. I am very jealous of all the coverage of the First Family you get. We hear almost nothing and of course if we do, the MSM makes sure it isn’t good.
My daughter finally took a day and her impression is that Kuwait City is beautiful and modern with fine architecture, and that it has a lovely yacht harbor and a waterfront that rivals the Croisette in Cannes. Sent pictures - she’s right.
You’re welcome. His arrivals are magnificent.
The smiling King of Bahrain cracks me up with
his jovial demeanor and jolliness.
I'd love to get a pic of the VP all along on the river, fly fishing--peaceful setting--surrounded by gorgeous nature's greenery, with the word G O A L under it ;-)
along = alone -——sorry!
Yes, Starwise, thank you for the great pictures.
Thanks Starwise. I guess the prospect of maintaining the security of both the President and First Lady would be mind-blowing.
There are some truly stunning scenes, for sure.
Hope things are good in your house .. ;)
Difficult to explain. He states what will be written, yet at the same time states what is happening and what is on the “final page”.
Thanks, Snugs, thanks Kaslin; thanks Starwise, for your responses to my Photobucket problems.
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