A Day in the Life of President Bush... (many many Photos and news) 06-12-08

www.whitehouse.gov/news www.yahoo.com/news ^ | 12th June 2008 | Snugs

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Today the President is in Italy continuing what many believe is his farewell European tour. He met with the Italian President and Primeminister plus attending a round table meeting with Italian entrepreneurs who have spent time working with U.S. companies in Silicon Valley.

The First Lady and Secretary of State attended a conference at the Kleber international centre in Paris after which the First Lady travelled to Rome to attend a plenary session at the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates attended a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels

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Quote of the Day
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy Salla della Loggia Villa Madama Rome, Italy

PRIME MINISTER BERLUSCONI: (As translated.) Good evening to all of you, and welcome to our American guests. And of course I would like to extend my warmest welcome to President Bush, who is a friend, a personal friend of mine and also a great friend of Italy. I also wish to thank him because Rome has the very great privilege of being the European capital that President Bush has visited more than any other capital in Europe, if I'm not mistaken. This is the sixth time that he's here in Rome and we are certainly delighted to have always seen that he is an ally who has always helped our country have strong relations with the United States. And I must say that this has never been the case.

also wish to thank him for all the efforts which he has undertaken during his administration in order to safeguard democracy and freedom. We have been the first government to support one of his initiatives within the U.N., i.e. the community of democracies, which aims at spreading democracy throughout the world. We are both fully convinced that it is only through a real democracy that we can have true freedom, and it is only through freedom that individuals can tap their potentials fully, and this is how we can all help our families overcome any poverty. And obviously this is how people can overcome poverty and therefore become evermore prosperous. And this is what we need to aim for in order to establish long-lasting peace throughout the world. This, in fact, is one of the issues that we have worked on and which we continue to pursue in the future.

We've discussed many issues this afternoon, and we've also had the opportunity to discuss two programs, two initiatives, which I think have commonalities. The University for Liberal Thinking, we think -- or, are thinking of establishing one of these universities here in Italy, in fact. And I had the opportunity to show President Bush some of these photographs which I already have. And President Bush is thinking of doing something very similar in Texas, and therefore we've decided that we'll perhaps have a professor exchange program in Italy. I've also invited President Bush to come to act as visiting professor, and I've already told him that many of our colleagues, prime ministers, and heads of states, in fact, have okayed that, as well.

I know that you'll all have questions. You obviously are curious about what we've discussed, and that's very legitimate. We've gone over the international situation, and we've also reported some of the decisions taken by our government with regard to our presence in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lebanon, and also our position vis-à-vis some international developments; and of course Iran is a very, very sensitive issue and is among these.

Now, we are certainly in agreement on all these issues, as we always have been. And I wish to wind up by thanking President Bush wholeheartedly. I thank America, and I, again, was able to address the U.S. Congress a couple of years ago, and this is something that I'll never forget. And the Italians, especially those who are members of my generation, will never forget that this is a country that has sacrificed many lives to save us from totalitarianism, communism, fascism, Nazism, and this is a country that has given us back our dignity and has ensured freedom and well-being for all Italians. Now this is something that I shall never, ever forget.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You're right, we're good friends, and I appreciate that very much. I also have enjoyed coming to Rome. I always leave with a little extra culture -- and a little fatter. Thank you for your hospitality.

PRIME MINISTER BERLUSCONI: President Bush doesn't know what's for dinner yet this evening.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Turning to the meeting, I want to say something about the severe weather that has affected so many of the citizens back in the United States. There's been some terrible storms and a lot of destruction and some death. Throughout the trip I've been updated on the devastation.

I've spoken with the governors of three affected states, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. Our government is in touch with the authorities. We will assist these states in any way we can to help people recover from the devastation. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the terrible tornados and flooding, especially those who lost loved ones. We've been inspired by the stories of heroism, neighbors helping neighbors and communities coming together. It's really a tough time for people in the Midwestern part of the United States. They'll have the prayers of the American people, and we'll help them recover.

We did have a wide-ranging discussion. I appreciate very much the fact that Italy is meeting international obligations. I don't think the citizens at home really understand how many troops Italy has deployed to help troubled spots of the world, and we thank you for that, Mr. Prime Minister. You've got about 8,700 troops in places like Kosovo and Chad.

You've got a very significant presence in Afghanistan. I appreciate very much the fact that the government announced to the parliament, with your instructions, Mr. Prime Minister, that the caveats that had restricted your forces in Afghanistan have been removed, and that you've committed additional Carabinieri to help train the Afghan police. Your Carabinieri are excellent professionals, and they're needed. And I want to thank you for that commitment.

We talked about Iraq, how Iraq is changing for the better, how people are beginning to realize the blessings of a free and peaceful society. And you've been very helpful to the NATO mission there of training as well.

I want to thank you very much for our discussion on Iran. We discussed how we can work effectively together to solve this issue diplomatically. I told the Prime Minister what I said yesterday in Germany, that all options are on the table, but the first choice, of course, is to convince the Iranians that they must give up their ambitions to develop the capacity to make a nuclear weapon, for the safety -- for our own safety, and for the sake of peace. And I'm confident we can continue to work together in a constructive way.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush is welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on his arrival Thursday, June 12, 2008, for meetings at the Villa Madama in Rome. White House photo by Eric Draper

[SnarlinCubBear]

Whew - I was getting worried about you.....
Hi there Thanks for the dose.

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It was getting crazy computer playing up and had also to sort things out for dad’s appointment tomorrow but finally managed to get the dose up.

[goodnesswins]

Thanks Snugs for your continuing commitment....WHAT time IS it where you are????

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Excellent, as always!!

Good to see you, snugs!

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Welcome to Sanity Island

Pray for President Bush -- Day 2829

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10 past 5 in the morning

[Jewels1091]

thanks!

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DOSE GOING UP PLEASE WAIT FOR ALL CLEAR BEFORE POSTING ANY PHOTOS OR GRAPHICS

[STARWISE]

Thank you so much for staying up so late to bring us the Sanity Island we love .. hope you won’t wear yourself out.

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Italian police block a street for the motorcade carrying U.S. President George W. Bush as it travels through the streets of Rome near the Villa Aurelia, June 12, 2008

President George W. Bush participates in a roundtable on business exchanges at the Villa Aurelia in Rome June 12, 2008. President Bush met with Italian entrepreneurs who have spent time working with U.S. companies in Silicon Valley.

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Don’t worry I always have a good rest when I get home and then after dinner it was just that with computer problems and sorting dad out that everything was a bit crazy today.

[Jewels1091]

snugs, i don’t know how on earth you do it!!!!!!!

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An unidentified worker sweeps the red carpet in preparation for the arrival of US President George W. Bush, at the Quirinale Palace for a meeting with Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano, Thursday, June 12, 2008 in Rome, Italy

Soldiers of the Granatieri di Sardegna (Sardinia's Granadiers) honor guard wait for the arrival of U.S. President George W. Bush at Rome's Quirinale presidential palace to meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Thursday, June 12, 2008

President George W. Bush is escorted by General Mosca Moschini as he reviews the Italian Guardia D'Onore at the Quirinale Palace before a meeting with Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome June 12, 2008

[goodnesswins]

OH....I LOOOOOVVVVEEE the GREEN tie!!!!

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President George W.Bush is saluted by a honor guard holding the Italian flag upon his arrival at Rome's Quirinale presidential palace to meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Thursday, June 12, 2008, on the first of his three-day visit to Italy and the Vatican as part of his European trip, Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

President George W. Bush, left, and his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano arriving at Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome Thursday, June 12, 2008

President George Bush (R) views paintings in the Salone dei Corazzieri during a visit with Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano (not pictured) at the Quirinale palace in Rome June 12, 2008.

President George W. Bush (L) meets with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Quirinale Palace in Rome June 12, 2008.

[STARWISE]

FRmail !!

[goodnesswins]

"10 past 5 in the morning"

AAAGGGHHHH.....I hope you're an early morning person!!! Thanks SOOOO much.

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President George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano at Rome's Quirinale presidential palace Thursday, June 12, 2008

President George W. Bush, left, and his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano smile to photographers at Rome's Quirinale presidential palace Thursday, June 12, 2008

President George W. Bush, left, and his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano during their meeting at Rome's Quirinale presidential palace Thursday, June 12, 2008,

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President Bush, right, is greeted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, right, during his arrival at the Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, Thursday, June 12, 2008