Diary Prequel Package — page 149

he how with little money we can dramatically reduce malaria, particularly in Africa. Spoke of results in Africa of the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) that over the past 2 years with $1.2 Billion for bed nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and ACT (Artemisinincombination therapy) malaria has been markedly decreased in certain countries. MC was Isaiah Washington of "Grey's Anatomy" TV show. I met and interacted with the usual cast. Also included Sens. Pat Leahy, Bill Frist, etc. VP Cheney's Annual Christmas Party. Chris did not come since she was setting up for the reception following the Annual Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral (I went later). Usual festivities with many people there. Spent much time talking to Carol Kuntz. Also, Scooter Libby was there awaiting start of his trial for providing false information to the Special Investigator (Fitzgerald) about the Joe Wilson/Valerie Plame issue. Spoke more with Isaiah Washington. Jan. 29, 2007 - Iraq war going very badly with civil war among Shia and Sunnis and insurgency running wild. Bush popularity in USA way down. The war is dominating the political scene in USA and particularly DC including discussions by Presidential candidates. Went to an interesting dinner tonight at the Metropolitan Club hosted by Dr. Ward (Trip) Casscells in honor of the Surgeon General of the Armed Forces of Iraq - Samir Abdullah Hassan, M.D. I sat next to him at dinner. Good guy and smart and tough. He explained the disaster that USA inadvertently promulgated by dissolving the Iraqi military. The Provisional government (Paul Bremer) dissolved the Iraqi medical corps and so now they do not have any army hospitals or army doctors to take care of the wounded and sick Iraqi soldiers. Also told me that the entire bureaucracy in Iraq (sewer, transportation, utilities) was run by the military and so when Bremer dissolved the military he completely destroyed the infrastructure of the country. Samir feels that this was an amazing blunder. Also, by dissolving the police, we now have anarchy in Iraq with criminal elements running wild. Feb. 13, 2006 - Had dinner with Rahm Emanuel (Democratic Caucus Head and brother of Zeke Emanuel), Christine Grady, Zeke Emmanuel, Mary Richardson and a Washington Post reporter (?name) at Central Restaurant at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. We were in the middle of an ice storm that did not deter us. Had very interesting and enjoyable conversations with Rahm about the Democratic Congress and the potential Democratic candidates for President in 2008. Rahm used to work for Bill Clinton when he was POTUS and was part of Clinton's original campaign team. Rahm feels that Hillary has the inside track because of the Clinton machine, her experience, and lots of money. However, he feels that Barack Obama will give her a tough race. Feb. 14, 2007 - Briefed Bruce Miller (VP Cheney's Chief of staff for biodefense) at the White House on AIDS, Pandemic Flu, Malaria, and biodefense in preparation for my future briefing of the VP that Bruce will set up. March 5, 2007 - Went to great memorial for Art Buchwald at the Eisenhower Theater of the Kennedy Center at the invitation of Art's son Joel and his wife Tamara. Many VIPs