Soulman
21st May 2003, 13:38
Hey guys,
Found this in the daily rag this morning. Turns out George W. wants to have a sleepover at Johnnie's this time!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bush plans to drop in
By Phillip Coorey
May 21, 2003
PRESIDENT George W. Bush has plans to make a trip to Australia in October in response to an invitation from Prime Minister John Howard.
George invited him to his Texas ranch and now John Howard has asked the US leader to stay over at his house.
A White House official yesterday said the President was studying the feasibility of dropping in either just before or after the Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation forum to be held in Thailand on October 20-21.
Mr Howard long ago invited Mr Bush to Australia and renewed the offer while a guest at the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas, early this month.
"He wants to go. The President is looking forward to it," the White House official said, adding the trip was yet to be confirmed.
"We're not ruling it out."
The President yesterday raised speculation of an Australian visit when he said he would also use the APEC trip as a chance to visit the Philippines. In Washington yesterday, Mr Bush hosted Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, whom he described as "a friend of America and a friend of freedom", similar to praise heaped on Mr Howard.
An Australian Government source said APEC was the most logical time for the President to visit Australia because he would be in the region and that was also the timetable being worked on by Canberra.
It is also believed Mr Bush, a keen fan of grid iron and rugby union, could see part of the Rugby World Cup while here.
Mr Howard hinted last week of a visit by Mr Bush some time this year.
"I hope at some time in the not-too-distant future Australians will see more of him," he said on Channel 9. "He's a very human warm person, he's got a great sense of humour, he likes sport and he's very intelligent and well briefed and I enjoyed his company immensely and Janette (Howard) enjoyed (first lady) Laura's company immensely as well."
Asked at the Texas ranch whether he wanted to visit Australia, President Bush said: "Yes, as soon as possible."
Mr Howard has been a frequent visitor to the US. He has travelled to the US twice this year to talk with the President. He also met Mr Bush in Washington on September 10, 2001, a day before the terror attacks.
President Bush's visit would only be the fourth time a US President has come to Australia.
Bill Clinton arrived for four days on November 19, 1996, two weeks after he was re-elected for a second term.
Mr Bush's father, President George H. W. Bush, visited Australia for three days in early January 1992 to thank the-then Labor government for its support during the 1991 Gulf War.
In 1966, Lyndon Johnson was the first US President to visit Australia. His three-day stay at the invitation of then-PM Harold Holt was marked by rowdy anti-Vietnam war protests. In Sydney, demonstrators blocked the route of his motorcade prompting then premier Robin Askin to infamously instruct his driver to "run the bastards over".
The Courier-Mail
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Souls.
Found this in the daily rag this morning. Turns out George W. wants to have a sleepover at Johnnie's this time!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bush plans to drop in
By Phillip Coorey
May 21, 2003
PRESIDENT George W. Bush has plans to make a trip to Australia in October in response to an invitation from Prime Minister John Howard.
George invited him to his Texas ranch and now John Howard has asked the US leader to stay over at his house.
A White House official yesterday said the President was studying the feasibility of dropping in either just before or after the Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation forum to be held in Thailand on October 20-21.
Mr Howard long ago invited Mr Bush to Australia and renewed the offer while a guest at the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas, early this month.
"He wants to go. The President is looking forward to it," the White House official said, adding the trip was yet to be confirmed.
"We're not ruling it out."
The President yesterday raised speculation of an Australian visit when he said he would also use the APEC trip as a chance to visit the Philippines. In Washington yesterday, Mr Bush hosted Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, whom he described as "a friend of America and a friend of freedom", similar to praise heaped on Mr Howard.
An Australian Government source said APEC was the most logical time for the President to visit Australia because he would be in the region and that was also the timetable being worked on by Canberra.
It is also believed Mr Bush, a keen fan of grid iron and rugby union, could see part of the Rugby World Cup while here.
Mr Howard hinted last week of a visit by Mr Bush some time this year.
"I hope at some time in the not-too-distant future Australians will see more of him," he said on Channel 9. "He's a very human warm person, he's got a great sense of humour, he likes sport and he's very intelligent and well briefed and I enjoyed his company immensely and Janette (Howard) enjoyed (first lady) Laura's company immensely as well."
Asked at the Texas ranch whether he wanted to visit Australia, President Bush said: "Yes, as soon as possible."
Mr Howard has been a frequent visitor to the US. He has travelled to the US twice this year to talk with the President. He also met Mr Bush in Washington on September 10, 2001, a day before the terror attacks.
President Bush's visit would only be the fourth time a US President has come to Australia.
Bill Clinton arrived for four days on November 19, 1996, two weeks after he was re-elected for a second term.
Mr Bush's father, President George H. W. Bush, visited Australia for three days in early January 1992 to thank the-then Labor government for its support during the 1991 Gulf War.
In 1966, Lyndon Johnson was the first US President to visit Australia. His three-day stay at the invitation of then-PM Harold Holt was marked by rowdy anti-Vietnam war protests. In Sydney, demonstrators blocked the route of his motorcade prompting then premier Robin Askin to infamously instruct his driver to "run the bastards over".
The Courier-Mail
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Souls.