by Mark Silva
It's foggy this morning at Foggy Bottom, where an international press corps has assembled at the State Department for a summit of international leaders -- presidents and prime ministers of some 20 nations and organizations - focusing on a global economic crisis that spans from China to Western Europe.
President Bush convened this Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy, staged at the National Building Museum across town, and welcomed fellow leaders there this morning after an opening dinner last night in the State dining room of the White House. The summit is expected to wrap up with a statement of mutual understanding mid-afternoon.
"I am pleased that we're discussing a way forward, to make sure that such a crisis is unlikely to occur again,'' said Bush, calling on leaders to resist the temptation to tamp down on free trade among the nations.
"One of the dangers of such a crisis as this is that people will start implementing protectionist policies,'' Bush said in a brief public statement at the National Building Museum this morning. "We had a good frank discussion last night and I look forward to the discussions today. ''
"Frank discussions:'' Legendary diplomatic code-word around the White House for talks that may not be going so well behind the curtains.
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Comments
It looks a lot like Bush is grandstanding, trying to get his name on something positive before Jan. 20! What's the point? This summit should reconvene after Obama is in office.
Posted by: Mr. Wright | November 15, 2008 10:07 AM
They ALL create money out of thin air, on a whim.
Are you silly enough to think this is really going to be okay?
How would it turn out if all of your neighbors could create money out of thin air? Do you really believe that politicians are a race of supermen?
Hello??
Posted by: pjr | November 15, 2008 10:17 AM
The only frank discussions Bush ever had or ever WILL have are with people named Frank.
Posted by: Op109 | November 15, 2008 10:20 PM
I think we best be getting on with the promise of making America energy independent.Iran just asked OPEC to reduce production by yet another 1.5 million barrels per day.This past year and the record gas prices played a huge part in our economic meltdown and seriously damaged our society.We keep planning to spend BILLIONS on bailouts and stimulus plans.Bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil. Make electric plug in car technology more affordable. It cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to drive an electric plug in car. The electric could be generated from wind or solar. Stop throwing away money on things that don't work. Invest in making America energy idependent. Provide cheap clean energy. Provide millions of badly needed green collar jobs, put American's back to work. It is a win-win situation. Get with it! Utilize free sources such as wind and solar. Jeff Wilson's new book The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW outlines a plan for America to wean itself off oil. We need a plan and we need it now! www.themanhattanprojectof2009
Posted by: STEPHEN | November 16, 2008 8:55 AM