Remarks by President Bush on Kosovo

19 Feb 2008 09:28 Africa/Lagos


Remarks by President Bush on Kosovo

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush.


Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

7:24 A.M. (L)


THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Sunday, the people of Kosovo declared their independence. They have asked the United States for diplomatic recognition, and yesterday the United States formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent nation.


In its declaration of independence Kosovo committed itself to the highest standards of democracy, including freedom and tolerance and justice for citizens of all ethnic backgrounds. These are principles that honor human dignity, they are values America looks for in a friend, and soon we will establish full diplomatic relations with the new nation of Kosovo.


We will work with the leaders of Kosovo to carry out a smooth and peaceful transition to independence. America welcomes Kosovo's pledges to fully implement the plan of United Nations Special Envoy Ahtisaari, and to accept a period of international supervision. We encourage Kosovo's leaders to quickly adopt the provisions of the plan, especially those designed to safeguard the rights of Kosovo's non-Albanian communities.


The independence of Kosovo is an historic step for the Balkans region. It presents an opportunity to move beyond the conflicts of the past and toward a future of freedom and stability and peace. The United States and the European Union must seize this opportunity to offer all the nations of this region the prospect of integration into the political, economic and security structure of the Euro Atlantic community. In this way, all the people of the Balkans will be able to see the promise of a better life for themselves and for their children.


Thank you. I'll answer a couple of questions. Mark.


Q Mr. President, isn't this a poke in the eye to Vladimir Putin and the others who say you're approving of secession movements everywhere implicitly?


THE PRESIDENT: Actually, we have been working very closely with the Russians, as we have with the Europeans and other nations on the -- on Kosovo's independence, because we believe it's the right thing to do. You know, there's a disagreement, but we believe, as do many other nations, that this is -- history will prove this to be a correct move, to bring peace to the Balkans.


This strategy has been a long time coming. Yesterday, for example, we had a -- worked out with our European allies the sequencing of it, to make sure that there was a concerted and constant voice supporting this move. The United States supports this move because we believe it will bring peace. And now it's up to all of us to work together to help the Kosovars realize that peace. And it's important for us to remind Kosovo -- which I have just done - - that they must honor their commitments to support the rights of non- Albanians, non-Kosovars' rights inside the country.


Q Mr. President --
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me. Hans.


Q Mr. President, thank you very much. When you talk about the sequencing of events, did you withhold the endorsement, the recognition, and wait until this morning for any particular reasons, or as a favor to the Russians?


THE PRESIDENT: No, Hans, as I told you, we worked with the European nations. We had -- this strategy was well planned. And the endorsement, by the way, wasn't held until this morning, it was issued last night by the State Department, as I mentioned in my remarks.


But it was a way for us to create an effect that showed that the world was -- many in the world were very supportive of the independence of Kosovo. Our position has been very clear all along. At the G8, for example, I expressed - - or in Albania, I expressed my position very clearly, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody.


What you may be interested in knowing is that we have been in close consultation with the Russians all along. This wasn't a surprise to Russia. And you know, today's announcement is simply putting an exclamation point onto a series of announcements that have been made over the last 24 hours.


Thank you all very much. See you in Rwanda.


END 7:28 A.M. (L)


Source: White House Press Office

CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580


Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Serbia Rejects the Independence of Kosovo

Kosovo Albanians celebrating the declaration of Independence last Sunday.

Kosovo declared its Independence from Serbia on Sunday, February 17, 2008. But Boris Tadic, the President of Serbia told Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, that Kosovo's declaration of independence is a violation of international law and unacceptable. Vojislav Kostunica, the Prime Minister of Serbia, said, Kosovo is a “false state" and Russia is supporting Serbia.

The United States of America and most members of the European Union have already accepted the Independence of Kosovo, but not all the members of NATO have agreed to recognize Kosovo.

To avoid another civil war, the United Nations must address the disagreement between Serbia and Kosovo.

American Democrats Must Stop Fooling Themselves

Senator Hillary Clinton

From what I have been reading on the American presidential campaign so far, I am afraid to say that the traumatic political administration of President George W. Bush has done great damage to the political psyche of most Americans. The Democrats are more confused than the Republicans. In fact, President George W. Bush is having a good rapport with the Democrats in Congress and still calling the shots on the prosecution of the war in Iraq.
The Democrats in Congress are as guilty as the Republicans for the failures of the political administration of President George W. Bush.


President George W. Bush

Forget the political campaign promises of Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, because they are only bragging that they will bring the American Troops home from Iraq within a year. Only General David Petraeus, commander of US forces in Iraq, can tell how and when to withdraw American Troops from Iraq and not the smooth talking Senator Barack Obama or the tough talking Senator Hillary Clinton.


General David Howell Pertraeus

Behind the cameras, they are more interested in breaking their so-called highest glass ceiling and to make history as the first Man of color or first Woman to become the President of America than anything else.
In fact, that is why over 80% of African Americans are rushing en-masse like cattle to vote for Barack Obama and they careless about the war in Iraq.
How many African American soldiers or journalists have been killed in Iraq?
But White Americans have been killed in thousands.


Senator Barack Obama

Barack Obama's over publicized opposition to the war in Iraq is a premeditated political campaign strategy and not based on any Casus belli or rationale for the prosecution of the war on terror.

Let us stop beating about the bush like George Bush and state the facts.
Democrats must stop fooling themselves.

The sooner American Democrats stop being hypocritical and irrational, the better their chances of winning the presidential election.

Separate the wheat from the chaff before it is too late.

N.B:
I have also posted this article as a commentary on the Huffington Post.

Remarks By President Bush and President Kikwete of Tanzania at Roundtable on Pepfar

17 Feb 2008 17:56 Africa/Lagos


Remarks By President Bush and President Kikwete of Tanzania at Roundtable on Pepfar

Amana District Hospital Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 1:35 P.M. (L)


PRESIDENT KIKWETE: Mr. President, First Lady, my dear wife -- Mr. President, welcome again to Amana Hospital. Well, let me use this opportunity to thank you so much, again, for PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.


Through PEPFAR we got these two buildings -- these two buildings, a facility we just visited, and again, this clinic. In Dar es Salaam there are three of these buildings, one in each of the districts, and then we have five smaller ones. About 40 patients have been registered. And 24 are already on ARVs, because they are (inaudible). I'm not a doctor, but they say the levels of (inaudible) count, then they reach a certain level above 300, where they say now they have got to go, to start treatment.


Well, the significance of this is the people we have around here. There is Tatu. She has her own story to tell, I'm sure. There is a couple, Steven -- where is the wife? Where is your wife? Bring your wife here. This is Janet, this is Steven. They are a couple. And when she was pregnant, she was diagnosed as being HIV-positive. So then she came under care and treatment. The baby there, he is healthy.


So we can see, these are some of the typical examples of the success of this program. Had they not -- had there not been a program to test them, well, they might not be there. So one of the advantages is that their son is healthy, they are under treatment, they are healthy, they are doing their own work, so that son is lucky. He is not orphaned thanks to the PEPFAR program.


Then we have Honorati Shirima -- yes, and ex-military, I'm told -- retired. But I'm told when he came here, he was in very bad shape. He was in bad, bad shape. He was almost dying. So he started the program of ARVs, and you can see how he looks now. He looks healthy, he looks much better than what he was.


So all that I can say, President, is words of appreciation and thanksgiving. It has done a tremendous job. You know Tatu, you know her story, she was in Congress recently. So I can tell you -- this is what I can say to welcome you, is to thank you.


PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.


PRESIDENT KIKWETE: Thank you so much for the initiative. It has done so much for our people. It has given a future -- as I was saying this morning, many children now have been saved from being orphans, and the example is (inaudible). So thank you so much.


PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, Mr. President, thanks for having us. I really appreciate you suggesting a stop here at the Amana Hospital District. The American people have built two of the wings of this hospital, and I wanted to come here precisely to let the American people know how important their generosity is to the -- to helping save lives.


Doc, I thank you for setting up this meeting. We're so honored to be with the doctors and the healers, as well as those who have been helped by the program. One of the main reasons that I want to make sure the American people know that this program is successful is because I want this program to continue to be funded. It's in our national interests that the American generosity continue beyond my presidency.


And so, Mr. President, one way to send a clear message to the good people of our country is that their generosity is saving lives, and we really appreciate those whose lives have been saved to come and share their stories. And Tatu, it's good to see you again. She was at the State of the Union address; she and Faith, sitting with Laura and our two daughters. And your smile is bright today as it was then. (Laughter.) So it's good to see you. And Doctor, thank you.


PRESIDENT KIKWETE: She has hope. Now she has hope for the future.


PRESIDENT BUSH: She has hope and Faith. (Laughter.)


Source: White House Press Office

CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580


Web Site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

No Longer A Maverick, John McCain Continues to Pander to the Right Wing by Offering A Third Bush Term

17 Feb 2008 23:57 Africa/Lagos


No Longer A Maverick, John McCain Continues to Pander to the Right Wing by Offering A Third Bush Term

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Today on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, John McCain ducked questions about whether he has sacrificed his principles to pander to the right wing of his party and showed once again that in an attempt to get elected, he is offering nothing more than a third Bush term on everything from the war in Iraq to the failed economy, not the change Americans are looking for.


John McCain proved he wasn't kidding when he said he "doesn't really understand economics." Even as he acknowledged that our economy is headed towards a recession, McCain offered no answers about how to rebuild the economy, address concerns hard working Americans face or the mortgage crisis. Instead, McCain promised to make the President's tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, pledged not to raise any new taxes and said he'd pay for it all with pork barrel spending reform. McCain's approach just won't work. As the Senate Budget Office recently reported, extending the Bush tax cuts and continuing the war is a recipe for a $6 trillion dollar deficit, something McCain can't possibly pay for by reducing $35 billion in earmarks and pork spending.


McCain also ducked the fact that he was more worried about alienating the right wing of his party than supporting the economic stimulus package when he failed to show up for critical votes on the measure.


McCain also continued his pattern of marching in lockstep with President Bush on Iraq, a rallying point for the right wing of his party but not the rest of America. Five years ago this weekend, Vice President Cheney said Americans would be greeted as liberators in Iraq, a talking point McCain dutifully repeated. Now, when asked about establishing permanent bases in Iraq, McCain echoed the President's talking points by pointing out that there are other status of forces agreements that "have never been approved by Congress." From parroting the misleading case for war to President Bush's rosy rhetoric and stay the course strategy, McCain has marched in lockstep with President Bush every step of the way and now wants to keep our troops there for 100 years.


"John McCain showed today that he is about as far from a maverick as they come," said DNC Communications Director Karen Finney. "How can the American people trust John McCain when time and time again he's shown that he will compromise his principles to win the election and has no new ideas to address the challenges we face? Whether it's promoting more fiscal irresponsibility or a 100 year war in Iraq, McCain offers nothing more than a third Bush term."


JOHN MCCAIN: A THIRD BUSH TERM ON IRAQ


McCain, like Bush, Doesn't Want to Plan for Troop Withdrawal. Fielding questions on Iraq, McCain again echoed Bush's rhetoric, saying "I am confident that I can convince the American People that the consequences of a date for withdrawal are catastrophe and Al Qaeda trumpets that they win. I believe I can convince the American people that after nearly four years of mishandling the war, that we're now doing the right thing and are succeeding. I think I can convince the American people that by continuing with this strategy, we will be able to withdraw more troops" and then proceeded to say he didn't think it was an issue whether or not Bush went to Congress on a plan to stay in Iraq long-term, saying, "We have status of force agreements with countries that have never been approved by Congress." [ABC's This Week, 2/17/08]


2001: McCain Echoed Bush Case for War. As early as 2001 McCain was helping make the case for war with Iraq alongside Don Rumsfeld, one of the key figures named in yesterday's study. During a November 2001 episode of ABC's Nightline Rumsfeld, former CIA Director James Woolsey and McCain all made the case for invading Iraq, using the same misleading rhetoric. Rumsfeld claimed there were ties "between the terrorists in the Philippines and the al-Qaeda and people in Iraq." Woolsey suggested Iraq had "been involved in terrorist acts against the United States." And John McCain, given a chance to disagree, instead echoed both men and the Bush Administration, claiming there had "been significant involvement on the part of the Iraqis and Saddam Hussein in the acts of terror that have been committed in the past." [Nightline, 11/28/01]


McCain Consistently on Bush Talking Points. In 2003, McCain echoed Bush's rosy predictions by claiming that the end was "very much in sight" in Iraq. In 2005, McCain backed Bush, arguing that another year would prove "stay the course" was working. [The Hill, 12/8/05; ABC News, Good Morning America, 4/9/03] In 2006, McCain argued that Iraq was "on the right track" even as it slipped further toward civil war. [MSNBC, Imus in the Morning, 3/1/06] As of late, McCain's campaign insists, "terrorists are on the run," even while half of Afghanistan appears to have fallen back under the control of the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden remains at large. [johnmccain.com, press release, 12/17/07; Time, 12/8/07; Investor's Business Daily, 12/14/07]


JOHN MCCAIN: A THIRD BUSH TERM ON THE ECONOMY


McCain's Only Plan to Curb a Recession? Cut Pork Barrel Spending. In response to George Stephanopoulos' question about what to do about an impending recession, McCain only talked about pork barrel spending. "I think it's very important that we send a signal to the American people we're going to stop the earmark pork barrel spending ... Well, one reason is if you -- in the last two year, the president signed into law $35 billion worth of pork barrel projects. That would have been a thousand-dollar tax credit for every child in America. Wouldn't it have been better for our economy to give a thousand-dollar tax credit for every child in America as opposed to a bridge to nowhere in Alaska? And it also has a confidence impact. A confidence impact that the American people see their tax dollars being frittered away in wasteful and unnecessary spending." [ABC's This Week, 2/17/08]


McCain Skips Vote to Give Tax Rebates to Seniors and Disabled Veterans. "McCain skipped a difficult Senate vote Wednesday on whether to make 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans eligible for rebate checks as part of a proposed economic stimulus package" despite the fact that he "was actually in Washington -- his plane landed at Dulles Airport by 5 p.m., leaving plenty of time to make" the vote." [AP, 2/6/08; Politico.com, 2/6/08]


Cost of "Four More Years" Placed At $6.3 TRILLION. Yesterday's CBO "January Budget and Economic Outlook" showed continued deterioration in the budget outlook with the projected 2008 deficit growing to $219 billion. But as bad as the budget situation has become under the current Republican Administration, continuation of the Republican policies by any of the Republicans on stage tonight will only make things worse. The majority staff of the Senate Budget Committee estimates that funding Republican priorities like making the Bush tax cuts permanent and funding ongoing - and perhaps permanent - operations in Iraq will add $6.3 trillion to the CBO's already dismal ten-year predictions. [http://budget.senate.gov/democratic/documents/2008/cbojanupdatefactsheet2008.pdf ] (Due to the length of the URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this link into your browser).


McCain Admits He "Doesn't Really Understand Economics." At a recent meeting with the Wall Street Journal editorial board, republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted he "doesn't really understand economics" and then pointed to his adviser and former senate colleague, Phil Gramm - whom he had brought with him to the meeting - as the expert he turns to on the subject, the Huffington Post has learned. [Huffington Post, 1/21/2008]


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Source: Democratic National Committee

CONTACT: Karen Finney or Caroline Ciccone, both of the Democratic
National Committee, +1-202-863-8148


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