Rangers from Iraq Welcome Bush in Sofia
Rangers from Bulgarian mission in Iraq and honorary guard were at the square of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for the official receiving of the American president George Bush.
Around 8.25 AM the American delegation retinue arrived in front of the cathedral.
The US president and the first lady were received by the Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov and his wife Zorka Parvanova.
The guard orchestra performed the American and the Bulgarian anthems, after which Bush greeted the Bulgarian guard in Bulgarian language.
George and Lora Bush greeted the officials among whom were the Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin, Bulgarian ambassador to the USA Elena Poptodorova, Minister of Defense Georgi Bliznakov, Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov, US ambassador in Bulgaria John Beyrle, representatives of the American embassy and the administration of president Parvanov.
Bush laid a wreath to the Monument of the Unknown hero and paid tribute to the memory of the heroes who have died for Bulgaria.
The American president and his wife greeted the Bulgarian rangers and shook hands with each one of them.
After the protocol part of his official visit was over, George Bush surprised his hosts and his guards by wishing to go and greet the Bulgarian citizens who gathered there to welcome him. After 10 minutes of handshaking with the people he left for the president building, where Georgi Parvanov expected him to start the official talks.
Main topics which will be discussed are the removal of visa for Bulgarians, the fate of the Bulgarian medics in Libya, the American bases in Bulgaria, rearmament of the Bulgarian army and cooperation in the frame of NATO, the placement of anti-missile shield, which so far does not include Bulgaria.
Immediately after the talks with the Bulgarian president George Bush will visit the Archaeological museum where he will see the exposition and will give press conference for the Bulgarian media.
Tags:Bulgaria, George Bush, Georgi Parvanov, Lora Bush, News.bg, Zorka Parvanova
