Rice praises United States interactions with the Americas

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke today at the Council of the Americas meeting. As she looked back over the years of the Bush Administration, Rice spoke very highly of the United States and its actions with the other American nations on this hemisphere.

In 2001, the western hemisphere went through a social revolution and its cause was democracy, Rice said. New leaders have emerged in different countries, people are becoming activity in their democracies and they want their governments to create change for them in a positive way.

“Democracy is literally changing the face of politics in the Americas,” Rice said.

The United States has been changing as well. They have become better partners for this region, the United States’ and other states quest for social justice has been the defining feature of this past decade. The U.S. has put no price on it’s friendships but has accepted governments both right and left.

President Bush has made more trips to the Americas since 2001 than any other president. Through those visits the U.S. has developed connections between culture and commerce that have spanned and influenced all of society, Rice said.

“The democracies of the Americas are now interacting and working together as never before,” Rice said. “We are engaged in the global economy with increasing success.”

There has been a convergence of ideals and interests from social justice to an open economy, free trade, health and education for every member of society. Rice said the potential for this hemisphere is enormous and that the United States must remain engaged and really present in order to be a part of the hemisphere’s success.

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am this morning. At 9.10 am he attended a meeting with his Cabinet. At 1.15 pm, the President will present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the United States Naval Academy Football team. This evening at 6pm, President Bush will make remarks in honor of Thomas Jefferson’s 265th Birthday.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.

Airline Disruptions

When asked if the issue with the airline industry last week came up in today’s Cabinet meeting, Dana Perino said that Secretary of Transportation Peters provided an update about the airline security congestion issues. Secretary Peters was very concerned about the disruptions and the inconveniences for that many people. Peters also talked about the ongoing efforts to ensure air passengers safety to improve air travel for all passengers by taking steps to reduce congestion and delays. On the specific issues of the two airlines that had problems in terms of inspections, they have worked to address the flaws in the system. Peters wants to accomplish two main things; first letting Americans know that the Department of Transportation is fully committed to making sure that the airplanes are safe and secondly to do everything they can so to make sure these disruptions are not repeated in the future. Perino was also asked if the federal government bears any responsibility for the delays in terms of either inspections or the way that the industry runs. She responded that American Airlines took responsibility for the inspections, and there is where the responsibility lies.

Columbia Free Trade Agreement

Perino was asked if President Bush and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi are having conversations, and if they are trying to come together on this matter, or if the White House considers the matter to be dead. Perino replied that they have not spoken since last Wednesday, though there have been discussions on staff level. Perino continued to say, “The President believes that she made a choice to kill the Columbian Free Trade Agreement. And if and until she schedules a vote on the [Columbian Free Trade Agreement], she has in fact killed it. “ If she commits to a day on the calendar for a vote, then her assertion that she hasn’t killed the agreement will remain true--but up until then, she has killed it, Perino said.

Papal Visit

Perino was asked about the Pope’s visit to Washington, and how it differs from a diplomatic visit, since there seems to be extraordinary protocol taking place. President and Mrs. Bush will travel out to Andrew Air Force Base to greet Pope Benedict the XVI, and according Perino, this is the first time he has ever done so during his presidency. “The President is very much looking forward to raise the level of this visit to one where he and Mrs. Bush will take time out of his day to drive out to Andrews and welcome him as Shepherd One arrives at Andrews Air Force Base” , she said. The following day there will be an official White House ceremony for the Pope.
There was also a clarification of the Dalai Lama coming as a religious leader and instead of the Oval Office met with the President in the Residence, while the Pope is greeting as a Head of State and therefore will meet President Bush in the Oval.
There was also a White House dinner scheduled for Wednesday for catholic leaders in honor of the Pope, though Benedict the XVI will not be attending since he is meeting with US bishops instead. However, the White House made sure to let us know that they were aware of the Pope already having other dinner events while in Washington.