ninme

FOXnews - Mrs. Bush on Surprise Trip to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — First lady Laura Bush set out Tuesday for a quick visit to Afghanistan, undertaking a trip to a war-torn country where American forces are still battling a stubborn Taliban-led insurgency. …

She was to arrive in Kabul at midday Wednesday and spend about five hours on the ground, spending most of her time being briefed on educational initiatives for Afghan women. She also will meet with President Hamid Karzai and have dinner with U.S. forces at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul.

A former teacher and librarian, Mrs. Bush has expressed concern about the limited educational opportunities for Afghan girls under the rule of the former Taliban regime.

“She wants to be able to see the advances made for women in Afghanistan and to underscore the United States’ longterm commitment to the people of Afghanistan,” said Susan Whiston, the first lady’s press secretary.

The first lady was accompanied by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. …

Mrs. Bush was traveling to Afghanistan as part of a delegation of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, a group formed in 2002 to promote private-public partnerships between U.S. and Afghan institutions and insure that Afghan women gain the skills and education deprived them under years of the Taliban.

In Kabul, Mrs.Bush was to visit the Women’s Teacher Training Institute and hold a roundtable discussion with students and teachers. She also was to witness the award of a $17.7 million grant to American University in Kabul and $3.5 million to the International School.

Isn’t she swell?

Lunchtime Update 3.30:

I want everything in that bakery.

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, right, visits a bakery in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. first lady Laura Bush, center, speaks to some Afghan children after visiting a bakery, rear, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Yummy.