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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Uncle Frank who wrote (10248)	11/13/2001 8:40:07 PM
From: Jill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I know, I know, boredom would be nice, but still...before 9/11 who'd have thunk THIS would happen...Putin's going to eat barbecue served by cowboy waiters? NOVEMBER 13, 20:05 EST Bush to Welcome Putin to Texas Ranch By SANDRA SOBIERAJ Associated Press Writer CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) — President Bush, back at his beloved ranch for the first time in two months, said Tuesday he couldn't wait to give Russian President Vladimir Putin ``a taste of rural life here in Texas.'' That taste was shaping up to be more like a heaping plateful, as Bush planned to give his Russian counterpart the full treatment on his 1,600-acre ranch — a tour of its seven canyons and creeks on his four-wheel-drive John Deere ``Gator,'' and a chuck-wagon dinner of meat and potatoes and pecan pie. ``I can't wait for him to get to see Texas,'' Bush told local TV reporters just after Air Force One touched down in his home state The president and first lady Laura Bush came here straight from the president's several hours of White House talks — on the war, nuclear arms cuts, missile defense and more — with Putin and the Russian delegation. Bush said the dialogue on these things will continue once Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, arrive here Wednesday afternoon. But this second part of Putin's three-day visit to the United States will be more casual, Bush said. ``We'll go for a couple of nice, long walks and just visit,'' Bush said. ``The best diplomacy starts with getting to know each other.'' The Putins were bunking in the guest house where Bush's parents stay when they visit. Situated beside the president's own home on a small circular driveway, the separate guest quarters boast two bedrooms on opposite ends of an airy, central living room. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, where the Putins will find no tub, only a shower whose impressive water pressure draws raves from former guests. Mrs. Bush ducked down to Texas last week to oversee final preparations for the centerpiece of Putin's visit to the ranch, dinner on the lawn Wednesday evening. Back at the White House, people in the West Wing had dubbed the dinner ``the hoedown'' because it will feature a chuck-wagon, barbecuing cowboy cooks (courtesy of a catering friend in Buffalo Gap, Texas) and a five-member swing band to compete with the howling coyotes that Mrs. Bush says she hears at night. Bush, who admits his two left feet have to be dragged onto any dance floor, joked about prospects for dancing once the band starts to play. ``I can cut a pretty mean rug,'' he told reporters with a wink. If Putin hoped to get some riding in, he'll be disappointed. The Russian news agency ITAR-Tass recently released an official photo of Putin on horseback, leading to speculation in Moscow that Putin — a swimmer, skier and Judo champion — was brushing up on his equestrianship for the visit. Bush squashed that notion. He does not keep horses on the ranch, and guests ride instead the ``Gator,'' a rugged golf cart that is ``a little more compassionate than some horses,'' Bush said.