Washington, Sept 05: US first lady Laura Bush has expressed the desire to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan and said American schools should have tie-ups with institutions in the two war-torn nations. After speaking to students at a South Carolina elementary school yesterday, President George W Bush's wife told reporters, "I hope I have a chance to travel to Afghanistan and Iraq." She said it was important for Afghan children to return to classes after the Taliban's rule ended. "I've worked really hard and am still working on a number of issues that have to do with education in Iraq," the former teacher and Librarian said. "I hope the schools here will get a sister school there in Afghanistan or Iraq and have the opportunity for children all over the world to get to know each other."

However, her spokeswoman Noelia Rodriguez said the first lady did not have any immediate plans to visit the two countries.

Bureau Report