Photo Essays
Mrs. Bush Visits Afghanistan
First Lady Laura Bush waves as she arrives at Kabul International Airport, June 8, 2008. Mrs. Bush traveled to Afghanistan to highlight the continued U.S. commitment to the country and its President Hamid Karzai.First Lady Laura Bush is greeted by Bamiyan Province Gov. Habiba Sarabi after arriving in Bamiyan province, June 8, 2008. Appointed in 2005, Sarabi, former Minister of Women’s Affairs, is the only female governor in Afghanistan. New Zealand soldiers perform a traditional warrior’s dance, June 8, 2008, during a welcoming ceremony for First Lady Laura Bush at the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team Base in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province. First Lady Laura Bush greets New Zealand troops during her welcoming ceremony, June 8, 2008, at the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team Base. New Zealand’s military took over the Afghanistan military compound from U.S. troops in 2003. First Lady Laura Bush observes New Zealand troops performing a traditional warrior dance at the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team Base in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, June 8, 2008. Standing with her is New Zealand Army Maj. Justin de la Haye. Bamiyan Province Gov. Habiba Sarabi, center, introduces First Lady Laura Bush, left, to Col. Hafizullah Paymon, right, commander of the Afghan Regional Training Center, during a visit to the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, June 8, 2008. First Lady Laura Bush and Bamiyan Province Gov. Habiba Sarabi, in white, meet with female police trainees who will graduate June 15 from non-commissioned officer training during a visit, June 8, 2008, to the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. First Lady Laura Bush, center, participates in a roundtable discussion with three recent female graduates of the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, June 8, 2008. With her from left are: Bamiyan Province Gov. Habiba Sarabi, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood, USAID Mission Director Michael Yates and U.S. Under Secretary of Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky. There are currently an estimated 420 female police officers in the country. Women comprise less than one percent of the senior ranks of the police. The majority of these women serve in Kabul; two women serve as brigadier generals. First Lady Laura Bush smiles as she meets with female graduates of the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan province in Afghanistan, June 8, 2008. With her is Bamiyan Province Gov. Habiba Sarabi. First Lady Laura Bush greets New Zealand police officers during her visit to the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, June 8, 2008.Future students of the Ayenda Learning Center wave flags and greet Mrs. Laura Bush during her visit to the construction site of the Ayenda Learning Center, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Mrs. Laura Bush is greeted by future students of the Ayenda Learning Center during her visit to the school's construction site, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Joining Mrs. Bush is Governor of Bamiran Province Habiba Sarabi, left, and Ihsan Ullah Bayat, who directed a tour of the site. Students sing as they welcome Mrs. Laura Bush to the future site of the Ayenda Learning Center, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Mrs. Laura Bush is joined by Habiba Sarabi, Governor of Bamiran Province, right, and students of the Ayenda Learning Center, June 8, 2008, during a tour of the school's construction site in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Mrs. Laura Bush is joined by Governor of Bamiran Province, Habiba Sarabi, right, and students, during a tour of the future site of the Ayenda Learning Center, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.The tour was led by Ihsan Ullah Bayat, far left. Once completed, the Ayenda Learning Center will provide a safe and nurturing environment for 128 of Bamiyan most disadvantaged children to live. Itwill also provide educational opportunities for as many as 210 children in the region. A young girl is seen outside of the Ayenda Learning Center during Mrs. Bush's visit, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Mrs. Laura Bush is joined by Ihsan Ullah Bayat, top left, and young Afghan girls during a tour of the construction site of the Ayenda Learning Center, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.Mrs. Laura Bush meets with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, June 8, 2008, at Gul Khana Palace in Kabul. Mrs. Laura Bush meets with local leaders as she arrives, June 9, 2008 at the Bamiyan Bazaar in Afghanistan to inaugurate work on the road project. Mrs. Laura Bush, to the right of the podium, is introduced June 9, 2008 by the Bamiyan major as workmen prepare to break ground for the Bamiyan Bazaar road project in Afghanistan. Mrs. Laura Bush greets local businesswomen as she tours the marketplace of the Arzu and Bamiyan Women’s Business Association, June 9, 2008 in Afghanistan. The carpets, embroidery and other Afghan wares are all made by women. Mrs. Laura Bush poses for a photo with US troops during her visit to Bagram Air Force Base, June 8, 2008, in Bagram, Afghanistan.
First Lady Laura Bush waves as she arrives at Kabul International Airport, June 8, 2008. Mrs. Bush traveled to Afghanistan to highlight the continued U.S. commitment to the country and its President Hamid Karzai.
White House photo by Shealah Craighead