Mark Knoller: Why Hold Iraq Talks At Camp David?
Just four days after the 9/11 attacks on America, Pres. Bush gathered his top national security officials at Camp David to discuss U.S. military options and strategy.
It was at the start of a 9:00AM meeting in Laurel Lodge that Mr. Bush declared "we're at war."
Now, nearly five years later, he's again using Camp David for two days of consultations with his war cabinet and with officials and military commanders in Iraq taking part by secure video hookup.
He says the specific goal for the sessions is to review the strategy for moving forward in Iraq, now that the new government there is in place, including the Ministers of Defense and Interior.
"In other words," said Mr. Bush, "the Prime Minister has put forward a strategy as to how to achieve his objectives, which coincide with our objectives -- a nation that can sustain itself, govern itself and defend itself."
But why do it at Camp David? During a joint news conference there on Saturday with Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark, Mr. Bush volunteered this explanation:
"I felt that Camp David is a good place to do it because it can be distracting down in Washington -- with phone calls, and all those kinds of -- we can make sure the people involved in senior levels of government stay focused on the task at hand."
That's more than a bit of hyperbole. As President, Mr. Bush can just as easily be protected against distractions in the White House Situation Room as he can at Camp David.
But by hosting the meetings at Camp David, Mr. Bush wants to show he's focused on the matter of how to achieve his goals in Iraq and move closer to a day when American forces can be withdrawn.
One thing that can be said about Camp David – it's a more secure and heavily-guarded place than even the White House.
Anyone can traverse the sidewalk right in front of the White House – and every now and then, some jump the fence onto the grounds of the Executive Mansion.
But most people would be hard-press to even find the fenceline of Camp David.
Hidden in the remote woods of Catoctin Mountain Park near the town of Thurmont, Maryland, Camp David is a 143-acre military compound.
It's designated Naval Support Facility Thurmont. And it's patrolled by a heavily-armed contingent of no-nonsense U.S. Marines.
Even if you knew the way to the main gate without the benefit of road signs, of which there are none, all roads leading to Camp David are blocked – with extra security in place whenever the president is there.
The double-fencing around the installation gives the perimeter the look of a prison. And the Marines who guard it are adamant about keeping the construction secret.
On those rare occasions when the media is permitted to enter Camp David, we are warned not to take any photographs of the security provisions or any of the roads or buildings. It far exceeds any restrictions at the White House.
There's no question Pres. Bush loves Camp David. His visit there this week for the Iraq talks brings to 107, the number of times he's gone to the Presidential Retreat since taking office.
And it has often been the site of historic talks – dating back to the days when FDR would plan World War II strategy there.
Roosevelt was the first President to visit the place that in July 1942 he named "Shangri-La." It was Dwight Eisenhower who honored his grandson by changing the name to Camp David.
Pres. Bush has held other strategy sessions at Camp David including a meeting with his war cabinet on March 22, 2003, the first weekend after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.