Camp Bondsteel makes preparations
for President Bush’s visit
By Gregory Piatt,
Kosovo bureau
Gregory Piatt / Stars and Stripes
Brown & Root workers build stairs for President Bush's visit to Camp Bondsteel,
Kosovo, on Tuesday. |
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — There was a lot of banging, sawing and
carrying lumber Sunday at this U.S. base camp.
Members of the media hauled TV equipment into what, a few days ago,
was the camp’s gym.
Brig. Gen. William David, commander of the U.S. sector in Kosovo, was
among those inspecting the work under way for President Bush’s visit on Tuesday.
“Brown & Root built this camp in a short amount of time, and
they continue to surprise us on how they handle our needs for the presidential
visit,” said Maj. Randy Martin, Camp Bondsteel’s spokesman.
Bush, along with his wife, Laura, will finish his European trip by
visiting U.S. troops serving in the Kosovo peacekeeping mission.
First, the president will get a briefing at Camp Bondsteel and meet
with the United Nations special representative in Kosovo, Hans Haekkerup.
While he is in the briefing, the first lady will visit the
camp’s education center. After the briefing, Bush will speak to about 1,500 troops.
Later, Bush and his wife will have lunch with some troops at one of
the camp’s dining facilities.
The troops appear to be looking forward to the visit.
“It’s great that the commander and chief will come and see
the people who are deployed here,” Chief Warrant Officer Mike Polk said.
“It’s good to know that he’s interested in knowing
what’s going on here,” Pvt. Daniel Hansen added.
“It’s good to see he’s interested in the troops,”
said Spc. Aaron Flynn.
Although the White House teams came to the camp a month ago, the real
work on preparations started a week ago, Martin said. The advance team picked the spot
where the president will speak, and the Secret Service has made preparations for the
visit.
While security was a big concern on the first leg of the
president’s trip to Genoa, Italy, for the G-8 summit, it also is a concern in Kosovo.
Several weeks ago, Bush blacklisted several leaders from the Kosovo Protection Corps, the
civilian group formed from the disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army.
One KFOR official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said this
week that Bush’s executive order putting 22 ethnic Albanians on the list might be
cause for a security concern. But U.S. KFOR officials wouldn’t specifically discuss
any security measures for the Bush visit.
“We are working with the Secret Service to make sure the
president is safe and secure,” Martin said.
Meanwhile, troops and contract workers prepare the base by painting
stairwells and buildings and moving bleachers in from the ball field. All the proper steps
are being taken for what will be the most important VIP visit during these soldiers’
tours in Kosovo.
The soldiers are ready.
“It seems like he cares about us,” said Staff Sgt. Derrick
Forestier. “His visit shows us he’s not just sticking us out here and forgetting
about us.”
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