MR. JOHNDROE: Good morning. We're on our way to Texas, as you know. The President had his normal briefings and recorded his weekly radio address this morning. I'll come back to that.

First I wanted to make some brief comments about reports out of Zimbabwe of increasing violence. This violence and intimidation needs to stop. Mugabe and his supporters need to refrain from this sort of activity against those who are supporting the opposition.

The people of Zimbabwe some time ago voted for change. The will of the people of Zimbabwe should be respected. We note that regional leaders such as the President of Zambia have been very much engaged to try and resolve this electoral crisis there. I understand they'll be meeting soon with the South Africans. We would urge all the leaders in the region to play a constructive role so that the people of Zimbabwe can get their country back on not only the path to democracy but back on a sustainable economic future so they can support themselves.

Now, on the radio address, the radio address the President recorded this morning is really a Mother's Day tribute. He will talk about also -- briefly about the wedding of one of his daughters, Jenna. The President is excited to be going down to Texas today. He is looking forward to the weekend, as is the entire Bush family. It's really a special moment for them, and he, I think, is also going to make sure he gets a good night's sleep tonight so he can stay up late the rest of the weekend and enjoy all the activities that are planned.

With that, I'm happy to take your questions. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Sorry, what? Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Perhaps he was practicing. (Laughter.) But, anyway, like I said, he's looking forward to it, he's excited, like any proud father is, to see one of his daughters get married. You've heard the President and Mrs. Bush talk about this over the last few days. They're all very excited about it, as is the whole family, and looking forward to it. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes. Mrs. Bush has been down there and Jenna has been down there for a few days, right. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, I'll have to check on other family members, but rest assured that the very large Bush family is all going to be converging in Crawford to celebrate this weekend. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Right. I would reduce your level of concern and be assured that there will be absolutely no readout of the wedding, whatsoever. This really is a private event for the family. If we can -- if the family decides -- and I think they may -- on Sunday to release a couple of photos of the ceremony, then we will certainly provide those to you. But otherwise, I think the activities of the weekend are going to be a really private celebration for Jenna and Henry's family and friends. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, former President Bush is often at the White House. I believe he was there earlier this week, but I think he has already gone down to Texas. Marvin Bush and his family are on board today. Marvin Bush, one of the President's brothers -- Marvin and his family. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: The latest on Burma is we are involved in negotiations with the Burmese government, as are many governments and aid organizations from all over the world, trying to make arrangements so that our assistance and these other countries and aid organizations' assistance can get into Burma to help the people there. I would just say at this point there are ongoing discussions. We're hearing conflicting reports as well. We have - Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: As of our departure time, I was not aware that permission had been granted, but I would just say that we are hopeful. We are hopeful that permission will be granted not only for United States aid but all sorts of international aid. As you know, we have been involved through the State Department in talking with a number of governments, both in Washington as well as in their capitals, such as the Chinese and the Thais. We appreciate the Chinese and any other governments who have used what influence they have on the junta to encourage the junta to allow aid in. And so all of these efforts are ongoing. The bottom line is, we want to get aid into Burma as quickly as possible. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: I think most of the talks have taken place through our embassy in Rangoon with the Burmese government. There may be also some talks at other -- in other capitals, but I don't have a specific level of official at this time. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, our charg , a State Department official, certainly has. I'd refer you to the State Department for any more details on that. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: Right now USAID's disaster team located in Bangkok is working to get that money into the hands of aid organizations. And so we're hopeful that money will begin flowing onto the ground in Burma, but for any specifics I think USAID and the State Department will have a briefing later on this morning to talk about that. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Is he going to be doing his normal activities down at the ranch this weekend, since there's this

MR. JOHNDROE: No, I think this weekend he'll receive his normal intelligence briefings. I expect he'll work on the ranch, try and get a bike ride in. He does have a lot of other obligations this weekend, but I think he'll try and wedge those into the schedule. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. JOHNDROE: I don't have any additional details. Read more Comment (0), Email this.