Monday, March 30, 2009

When Obama travels, White House travels with him

London, March 29 (ANI): While U.S. President Barack Obama is gearing up for his first official overseas trips, it seems that the entire White House staff are preparing to fly with him. Obama is all set to meet the Queen before joining 19 world leaders at the G20 summit on Thursday in London’s Docklands. He and First Lady Michelle will later fly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic. Accompanying them on these trips will be at least 500 officials, the back-up staff, and high-tech gadgetry.

Those flying with the President will include 200 or so Secret Service personnel.

Besides, there will be the Service’s Counter-Assault Team, the White House Military Office, the White House Transportation Agency, the White House Medical Unit, the Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron, the State Department Presidential Travel Support Service, the US Information Agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Customs Service.

Even the chefs and ancillary staff who prepare the presidential nosh will also fly with Obama.

First Lady Michelle will be assisted by eight staff, including a secretary, press officer and her personal bodyguards.

“America is still the sole superpower. And the President must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, anytime. When the President travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats,” the Mirror quoted an official as saying, while justifying this vast production.

Also flying with Obama will be Reggie Love, whom the President describes as “the kid brother I never had”.

The 27-year-old personal aide works out with Obama at the start of the day, and they often unwind at the end of the day by watching TV sports.

Love is also on hand if Obama needs pens, Nicorette gum, toothbrushes, breath freshners, throat lozenges, water, tea and aspirins. (ANI)



'US must help Pakistan in pushing al Qaeda out of tribal areas'

Washington, Mar 29 (ANI): The United State should provide helicopters, night vision equipment and economic support to Pakistan to help the country in pushing out al Qaeda from the Tribal Areas, recommends a White House paper released with the announcement of the US strategy.

The report titled "White Paper of the Interagency Policy Group''s Report on US Policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan" emphasises that engaging and focusing Islamabad on common threat (for both countries) would include "successfully shutting down the safe haven for extremists".

It also "requires consistent and intensive strategic engagement with Pakistani leadership in both civilian and military spheres".

"The engagement must be conducted in a way that respects, and indeed enhances, democratic civilian authority," the White Paper stresses.

President Barack Obama on Friday enunciated a revamped strategy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan in the light of the recommendations made after a two-month review by a panel of high-level experts. (ANI)

.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

No comments:

Post a Comment