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Posted on 07/02/2009 1:39:44 PM PDT by NYer
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia, along with her mother, Marian Robinson, will join President Obama when he travels to Russia, Italy and Ghana next week. The First Couple will meet with Pope Benedict XVI on July 10 at the Vatican.
The White House announced in May that Mrs. Obama would visit Ghana -- and only recently confirmed that she will be with the president for the entire swing. The president will deliver two major speeches during the trip -- in Moscow, on U.S.-Russia relations, and in Accra, before the Ghanaian parliament.
Not all details about Mrs. Obama's activities on this trip are out yet, but a Wednesday briefing at the White House revealed some of her plans.
This is Mrs. Obama's second overseas trip in less than a month; she, her mom and daughters flew to Paris and London in June, marking Sasha's eighth birthday in London. Malia turns 11 on July 4. The next day, the Obama family flies to Russia aboard Air Force One, landing in Moscow on Monday.
Unlike the Paris and London trip -- basically a vacation for Mrs. Obama, with the exception of a side visit to Normandy to mark the anniversary of D-Day -- this travel is official business.
Once in Moscow, the president will meet with Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev, said Denis McDonough, deputy national security advisor for strategic communications.
"He will hold a press conference that afternoon in Moscow. After the meeting with President Medvedev, then he and the first lady will have dinner Monday evening with President and Mrs. Medvedev.
"They'll overnight in Moscow and the next morning will have breakfast with Prime Minister [Vladimir] Putin; will have a meeting with former President [Mikhail] Gorbachev. The president will give a major speech at the New Economic School that afternoon on U.S.-Russia relations. And then the president will hold meetings with a variety of Russian political, business leaders during the course of that afternoon."
On Wednesday morning, it's on to Rome and then to L'Aquila, Italy, for G8 meetings. It's not known yet what schedule, if any, Mrs. Obama will have in connection with the G8 spouses before returning to Rome on Friday for the meeting with the pope. The president will also meet with the Vatican secretary of state.
Next up, McDonough said, is Accra, Ghana, where the presidential party will arrive late Friday evening. On Saturday, the president will attend a series of meetings as well as make a major address in the Ghanaian parliament on development and democracy. After the speech, he and the first lady will tour the Cape Coast Castle, and then leave for Washington.
Michelle Gavin, the White House senior director for African Affairs, said the Ghana stop is an acknowledgement of the nation's stability and that Obama "certainly looks forward to traveling more widely in Africa in the future."
She noted that said the president wanted to emphasize "the importance of governance for stability. And Ghana is a truly admirable example of a place where governance is getting stronger, a thriving democracy. They just had an extraordinarily close election at the end of last year, decided ultimately by about 40,000 votes, that remained peaceful, power was transferred peacefully, and they continue to pursue a development agenda and bolster the rule of law.
"And this is worth pointing out, because far too often discussions of Africa are focused on crisis. Ghana is not in crisis, and it's an example for the region and more broadly."
Mrs. Obama was last in Africa in 2006 when, with her daughters and some of her friends, she flew to Nairobi to join then-Sen. Obama in Kenya, the homeland of his father.
I'll take there's a mooselimb in the wood pile for a thousand, Alex
I can’t wait to see what rags, err, dresses she will be sporting.
Is she taking her *evil eye* with her to get highend stores to open on Sundays?
What’s the over/under on her bursting into flames the second she sets foot in the Vatican?
will she wear the dashiki or the habit?
“I can’t wait to see what rags, err, dresses she will be sporting.”
I’ll take, ‘She wears fruit on her head for $100, Alex!’
Is she going to wrap her well toned arms around the pope?
Can Popes perform exorcisms?
Can't wait to see the photos of Zero and Michelle meeting in the Pope's chambers.
Can’t wait to see what bizarre outfits Chewy comes out in.
Good to be king.
Just love the way the Pope legitimizes these baby killers with an audience.
Let me know what makes them "major." Does he give minor speeches too? Which ones were Clinton's "major" speeches? I forget.
ML/NJ
I hope the Pope lectures the Dope just like he lecture Dopess Nancy.
Michelle’s mom has a great deal here. See the world on the taxpayer dime.....(milions), private 747 for travel, the best of everything and never elected to a single position. Who can beat that?
The Kenyan has no business taking his MIL along on an official trip.
Grifters all.
But they’re like...his posse.
Take a vacation on the nation.
Come on, who doesn’t like Mother Jefferson?
More bad news from Rome; she met with the Pope
She only got a rosary, a kindly word
[Che:]
I wouldn’t say the Holy Father gave her the bird
But papal decorations, never a hope
[Aide #1:]
She still looked the part at St. Peter’s, caught the eye
I can dream can't I?
Please don’t be stupid. The pope’s duties from time to time require him to keep company with sinners. In doing so, there is excellent precedent.
Yes they can.
Only ones I recall were "Put some ice on it".
ML/NJ
Please don’t be such a pompous asshat
I was wondering the same thing. The protocol is black, arms covered and with a matching black veil.
He is not legitimizing anyone or anything. As Head of State of the Vatican, he is welcoming another. This audience was requested by O. I'm sure his handlers have prepared him for what he will hear from B-16.
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Absolutely correct.
Feb - Apr - May - June. Four months. How many VACATIONS have these folks taken? They are arrogant bstrds.
Have pity on yourself and stop digging.
Dude. That hurts.
No confusion involved. In the case of Clinton IMHO, it was both, major and memorable. What you didn’t detect perhaps, was the levity involved and sarcasm intended.
I bet she doesn’t know how to dress. Don’t give her any hints. LOL!
No, she will be expected to bow and kiss his ring.
It’s a “head of state” thing — not honoring Obortion Obama, but his office.
And I don’t think he will allow a photo with Obama either, just like he didn’t with Pelosi.
And the “it” speech. LOL!
The Obama family flies to Russia tomorrow, aboard Air Force One, landing in Moscow on Monday.
Old thread but it had the info about the trip.
That girl on the far right really is a BELLY dancer, lol!
Good post of one of your old James Bond graphics.
You should link some of your old profile pages to your present one, they never get seen!
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I never had the brains to put that 007 series of linked Profile pages in a designated and dedicated folder at D
You had many space ones. There is a beautiful nightime picture of Mt. Rushmore on the Astronomy page today. Called Starry night.
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I gotta see the space pic -
Guess you mean the Astronomy one of Rushmore? Not really a space picture, just a beautiful night time scene from afar.
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Yup
Rushmore pic
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Do you want it hand delivered or sent by rocket?? Lol!
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OK
I’ll go attempt to kick Search into gear
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