Obama-Bush to discuss Iraq war, economic crisis

Washington, Nov 7: US President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to hold talks with President George Bush on crisis issues, including Iraq and the ongoing recession in the economy, official sources said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Obama and wife Michelle would visit the White House on Monday, which will be their home after the inauguration on January 20. "The Bushes will greet the Obamas, and then the president will visit with the president-elect in the Oval Office. Mrs Bush and Mrs Obama will meet in and tour the private residence. We understand that the Obama children will not be accompanying them on this visit, but we very much look forward to meeting them," The News quoted Perino as saying in a statement.

And, Obama is expected to address his first press conference later in the day today after meeting his team of high-powered economic advisors, reported The News.

Bush said he had directed "unprecedented" cooperation between the White House and Obama before the President-elect is inaugurated on January 20. "In the coming weeks, we will ask administration officials to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq. I look forward to discussing those issues with the president-elect early next week," the paper quoted Bush as saying at the White House.

Bush also warned that terrorists might try to use the handover of power period to strike at the United States.

"We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us, and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people," he said.

ANI