Why Mongolia?
That's a question some are asking. In the past, the area was little more than a refueling station. No President has really "gone" there for anything else before. The country wasn't part of the Coalition of the Willing, so there are no Iraq War ties...or are they?
Officially, the purpose is to "discuss with President Bagabandi important issues in U.S. -- Mongolian relations, sharing views on international problems, and affirming the warm relationship between the American and Mongolian peoples."
This could be a recruitment run: "children and youth under 35 make up 70 percent of the population and the average age is 21 year." But considering that only 6% of the country is Christian (50% are Buddhist Lamaist, 4% are Muslim and 40% are listed as "none") it could also be part of the "We Love Muslims Tour" that Karen Hughes was a part of....and still is...with varying degrees of success.
Of maybe he's just looking for some political love:
If that's the case, it's understandable. He's definitely not feeling the love here.
Officially, the purpose is to "discuss with President Bagabandi important issues in U.S. -- Mongolian relations, sharing views on international problems, and affirming the warm relationship between the American and Mongolian peoples."
This could be a recruitment run: "children and youth under 35 make up 70 percent of the population and the average age is 21 year." But considering that only 6% of the country is Christian (50% are Buddhist Lamaist, 4% are Muslim and 40% are listed as "none") it could also be part of the "We Love Muslims Tour" that Karen Hughes was a part of....and still is...with varying degrees of success.
Of maybe he's just looking for some political love:
Bush is expected to get a warmer welcome in Asia than he did earlier this month in Argentina at the Summit of the Americas, where Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez led a protest against U.S. policies and Bush failed to gain support from the 34 nations attending for a hemisphere-wide free trade zone.
Japan, the first stop on Bush's trip, and Mongolia, the last, are likely to give him the most enthusiastic response, while China and South Korea probably will be cooler but respectful.
If that's the case, it's understandable. He's definitely not feeling the love here.
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