The Bush's visit was so secret that not even the Iraqi government or presidency knew about it. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was told about the visit five minutes after Bush landed in Baghdad. Bush in Baghdad on surprise visit
US President George W. Bush began an unannounced five-hour visit to Baghdad June 13 for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, the speaker of parliament, and Iraqi business, cultural and educational leaders.
Bush had been meeting at Camp David, Md., with his national security team to discuss the way forward in Iraq. He was to have met with Maliki and other Iraqi leaders via teleconference today, but traveled to Baghdad in secret overnight.
He shook hands with a surprised looking Maliki in front of television cameras at the US Embassy in Baghdad this evening local time.
Speaking at Camp David yesterday evening, Bush said the United States is resolved to assist the new democratic Iraqi government, the performance of which will ultimately determine victory or defeat in Iraq.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060613/2006061316.html
Bush on Surprise Iraq Visit (photo source)
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/13/06.shtml
Bush makes surprise visit to Baghdad
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D23D0445-7813-47AF-847E-AB9FA1260BD5.htm
UPDATES
Iraqis March Against Uninvited Bush
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/14/02.shtml
Bush in Baghdad
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/jun2006/bush-j14.shtml
US President George W. Bush began an unannounced five-hour visit to Baghdad June 13 for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, the speaker of parliament, and Iraqi business, cultural and educational leaders.
Bush had been meeting at Camp David, Md., with his national security team to discuss the way forward in Iraq. He was to have met with Maliki and other Iraqi leaders via teleconference today, but traveled to Baghdad in secret overnight.
He shook hands with a surprised looking Maliki in front of television cameras at the US Embassy in Baghdad this evening local time.
Speaking at Camp David yesterday evening, Bush said the United States is resolved to assist the new democratic Iraqi government, the performance of which will ultimately determine victory or defeat in Iraq.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060613/2006061316.html
Bush on Surprise Iraq Visit (photo source)
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/13/06.shtml
Bush makes surprise visit to Baghdad
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D23D0445-7813-47AF-847E-AB9FA1260BD5.htm
UPDATES
Iraqis March Against Uninvited Bush
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/14/02.shtml
Bush in Baghdad
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/jun2006/bush-j14.shtml