Bush Arrives In Georgia For G8 Summit

President George W. Bush arrived in Southeast Georgia on Sunday night, two days before the start of the Group of Eight Summit that he is hosting on Sea Island.

The president and first lady landed at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah just before 10 p.m. EDT. He just returned to the United States from France, where he attended Sunday's commemorations of the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Bush and other world leaders will discuss Iraq, the Middle East and other major world issues during the three-day economic summit.

Unprecedented security guards Georgia's coast, with hundreds of federal agents, more than 10,000 police from all over the state, temporary anti-aircraft batteries, gun boats, military helicopters, and thousands of National Guard troops patrolling the area.

The leaders of the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Japan will be accompanied by thousands of their aides and as many as 2,500 journalists, all of whom will take up residence on the Golden Isles and Savannah.

Gov. Sonny Perdue has said that the state's hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and other businesses could reap $500 million in economic benefits.

One of the biggest concerns organizers are grappling with is how to protect the participants from terrorist attacks and protesters who are likely to gather near the meeting area.

G8 Summit Interactive Sea Island Summit Official Site What Is The G8? G8 Online Summit For Kids Protest Sites: NoG8.org G8carnival.org

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan, a 32-year veteran law enforcement agent, said the state's preparations for the summit are unprecedented.

"This is the most intensive preparation that I've ever observed for a special event in this state," he said. "And I'm including the Olympics."

Keenan worries about the unknown, especially threats posed by international terrorists who, according to federal authorities, are determined to strike again on U.S. soil.

To bolster security, the GBI has enlisted local law enforcement agents.

"It's necessary that they receive powers of arrest and liability protection for the G8 Summit," Keenan said. "For that reason, the GBI is swearing in the local law enforcement officers as GBI agents."

The GBI has studied preparations for other recent gatherings of world leaders, including meetings in Washington, D.C., and Miami, as it set out its plan to protect Georgia during the G8 meeting.

Said Keenan: "The plan has been completed, the training has been completed, the equipment has been procured and now the men and women of (Georgia) law enforcement are going forward to do their job."

The federal government will provide millions of dollars to the state to offset some of its costs but Keenan said the operation is within budget and represents a partnership between federal, state and local authorities.