Full Agenda Awaits Bush in Asia. Not a HALF agenda, Stretch...a FULL 'un!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Full Agenda Awaits Bush in Asia

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By JENNIFER LOVEN Associated Press Writer

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8DS88380.html

November 14,2005 | WASHINGTON -- President Bush embarks Monday on an eight-day Asian trip with a full plate: Preparing for a possible bird flu pandemic. Boosting global free-trade talks and tackling sticky trade issues with China. Promoting democracy. Keeping U.S. partners on track in ridding North Korea of its nuclear weapons programs.

White House officials predicted that Bush's visits to Japan, South Korea, China and Mongolia would produce few tangible breakthroughs. Analysts said that was appropriate, since the trip's value lies in countering a drift in the region away from the United States.

China is growing in economic and military might and in its global involvement, which is causing some to worry whether Beijing seeks to rival, or supplant, U.S. influence. Meanwhile, a new collection of Asian states known as the East Asia Summit added participation by Australia, New Zealand and India, but still excludes Washington.

"It is good for the president to show up in Asia and say, `We care about Asia,' because that is in doubt in the region," said Ed Lincoln, senior fellow in Asia and Economic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. White House aides had looked to a November packed with foreign travel as a way to help divert attention from Bush's domestic troubles and slumping poll numbers. It hasn't worked out that way.

[afdip]

1. as long as he's in bed by 9:30 . . . . .

[hippiechick]

2. This is a man who can't ride a Segway without crashing.

Do they really think he's up to the challenge of any ONE of those issues, let alone all of them in one trip ??


:shrug: