WWW.BAYANA.BLOGSPOT.COM: 'Hands up if you know how to spell Nato': Obama and Cameron stun Welsh primary school pupils by walking into their classroom (but why did White House agent have to ride in the boot?)

Obama greets smiling youngsters of Mount Pleasant Primary School in Welsh saying 'bore da' - 'good morning'
Road was faced by the sight of scores of police officers and presidential convoy pulling up at the school gates
President and Prime Minister are in Rogerstone, near Newport, ahead of Nato summit at nearby Celtic Manor
HMS Duncan to hold working dinner for heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers today
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says that Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces
Ministry of Defence signed £3.5billion contract for almost 600 new armoured vehicles on the eve of the summit

Pupils at a Welsh primary school were today left stunned when, of all people, Barack Obama and David Cameron walked into their classroom.
Mr Obama greeted the smiling youngsters of Mount Pleasant Primary School in Welsh by saying ‘bore da’ - ‘good morning’.
He then listened to a welcome message, thanking him for being the first serving US president to visit Wales.
The road along Ruskin Avenue was faced by the sight of scores of police officers and the presidential convoy pulling up at the school gates.
The president and Prime Minister were in Rogerstone, near Newport, ahead of the Nato summit at nearby Celtic Manor.

Education: Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and US President Barack Obama speak with schoolchildren during a visit to Mount Pleasant Primary School in Newport

On the lookout: An agent sits in the back of a vehicle looking out as the car carrying Mr Obama and Mr Cameron arrives to visit school children

Special visit: Crowds turn out with flags and cameras as President Barack Obama arrives in his cavalcade to visit a school in Newport, South Wales

Taking a picture: There was huge interest in Newport today as President Barack Obama arrived to visit a school

Presidential convoy: The road along Ruskin Avenue is usually busy with parents dropping their youngsters off

Children at the 230-pupil school are among youngsters from across Wales who have written postcards to leaders attending the summit.
They have told them what they would like to see changed in the world by the time they are adults - and their messages will be presented to Nato leaders.
Youngsters were treated to a series of Nato-themed events on their second day back at school.
Army reservist Lieutenant Rachel Broughton, 28, of Tenby, spoke to year five and six pupils about the summit and how Nato works.

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Among the crowds gathered outside was college student Jay Singh, 16. He said: ‘It’s pretty surreal, Barack Obama being in Rogerstone.
'It’s great that he’s come here and shows Newport has plenty to offer and it’s not just about Cardiff.’
Local councillor Chris Evans, also in the crowd outside the school gates, added it had given the area a big boost.

‘It has brought the whole community together,’ he said. ‘It’s especially good after the recent bad news we’ve had with 600 job cuts at a bakery firm.’
And grandparents Chris and Bronwen Green, both 67, were pleased the president would be addressing the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Making a point: Mr Obama greeted the smiling youngsters of Mount Pleasant Primary School in Welsh saying 'bore da' - 'good morning'

Involved: Children at the 230-pupil school are among youngsters from across Wales who have written postcards to leaders attending the summit

Taking a look: After listening to a question-and-answer session about Nato, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron were ushered into the school hall to inspect youngsters' artworks

Explanation: Army reservist Lieutenant Rachel Broughton (left), 28, of Tenby, spoke to year five and six pupils about the summit and Nato

On the ground: Police move a mobile police cordon into position close to Celtic Manor in Newport, south Wales, on the first day of this year's Nato summit

Huge number of officers: Police motorcyclists patrol the perimeter of the the Celtic Manor Resort as world leaders gather for the 2014 Nato summit

Mr Green - waving a flag with the Welsh Dragon, Star Spangled banner and the black, white and blue of Estonia, said: ‘Our son lives out in Tallin in Estonia - which is only a 120 miles away from Russian tanks. It’s understandable people there ate getting quite concerned.’

Mrs Green added: ‘We both like Obama. He seems to have his finger on the pulse.’

'It’s pretty surreal, Barack Obama being in Rogerstone. 'It’s great that he’s come here and shows Newport has plenty to offer and it’s not just about Cardiff'
Jay Singh, local college student

The US President's motorcade pulled up at the school gates at around 9.30am - with his black stretch limousine bearing a Welsh flag for the first time in history.
Before the most powerful politician in the world entered the building, police and Mr Obama's own security team carried out security checks with a fine-tooth comb.
Earlier on, children had to go through a metal detector before starting their second day of the academic year.
When a smiling Mr Obama walked into a Year 6 class speaking Welsh, the pupils' nervous chatter turned to delighted smiles.
After listening to a question-and-answer session about Nato, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron were ushered into the school hall to inspect youngsters' artworks.

Eager to get a glimpse: The President and Prime Minister were in Rogerstone, near Newport, ahead of the Nato summit at nearby Celtic Manor

Presence: The road along Ruskin Avenue was faced by the sight of scores of police officers and the presidential convoy pulling up at the school gates

Watching from the window: The US President's motorcade pulled up at the school gates at around 9.30am

After speaking with schoolchildren for around 40 minutes, the two leaders left in their respective convoys - to more flag-waving and loud cheers

Unusual day: Earlier on, children had to go through a metal detector before starting their second day of the academic year

Here they come: Mr Obama's black stretch limousine was bearing a Welsh flag for the first time in history

Making a stand: Protestors marching through Newport, Wales, on the first day of this year's Nato summit at nearby Celtic Manor

Sitting down at a low-level children's table, perched in front of a classroom display about adventurers such as US astronaut Neil Armstrong, they chatted with youngsters about their drawings of the summit venue, the Celtic Manor.
Deputy headteacher Andrew Rothwell said the day would be one staff and pupils would never forget.

'When we found out that the visit would involve the US President and the Prime Minister everyone was gobsmacked'
Andrew Rothwell,
Mount Pleasant Primary School deputy headteacher

‘It's been a real pleasure to host Barack Obama and David Cameron,’ he said. ‘As you can see, the children have not stopped smiling.
‘It's given them a tremendous sense of pride. We feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen for the visit.
‘It's quite funny how it came about because in July we tweeted a picture to Nato's account with a drawing the children had done of the Nato logo asking for a VIP visit.
‘We then later formally applied to host a Nato-themed event at our school, but had no idea as to what it would be.
‘I don't know if the tweet helped or not, but when we found out that the visit would involve the US President and the Prime Minister everyone was gobsmacked.’

Leaders: (From left) French President Francois Hollande, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi hold a meeting on the situation in Ukraine at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport

On guard: Armed police stand outside the Celtic Manor Resort as world leaders gather for the 2014 Nato summit

Armed: Special police patrol around a Nato summit at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales

Touch down: President Barack Obama has landed in Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit where he will tell Russia to retreat from Ukraine's borders

High security: The US leader flew into the Welsh capital's Celtic Manor, near Newport, on board Marine One

Back up: President Obama leaves RAF Fairford onboard Marine One, going to the Celtic Manor, Newport for the NATO summit, chaperoned by a chopper

Pressure: The president is expected to respond to accusations of indecision at the summit, with discussions on Ukraine, ISIS and Boko Haram

After speaking with schoolchildren for around 40 minutes, the two leaders left in their respective convoys - to more flag-waving and loud cheers.
Some onlookers had brought ladders while others stood on walls or even on the back of bikes to try to get the best view.
Local resident Sally Pyrah-Barnes, 47, said the day felt like a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.
‘It's good Barack Obama took time out from the summit to acknowledge the local city and the local kids,’ she said.
Yesterday, Mr Obama touched down in Cardiff ahead of today's Nato summit as world leaders prepare to tell Russia to retreat from Ukraine's borders.
The US leader made clear the alliance stood ready to defend the territorial integrity of 'every single one' of its 28 member states at the two-day conference - a sentiment supported by David Cameron.
And Vladimir Putin showed signs he was feeling the pressure, issuing a call to the pro-Russian separatists to 'stop advancing' while urging the Ukrainian army to withdraw its troops from the region.
However his words are unlikely to satisfy Western leaders who have threatened to tighten the economic sanctions against Russia unless it withdraws its support for the insurgents and ends its attempts to destabilise the government in Kiev.

Talks: The American leader had just left the Baltic where he engaged in talks with leaders who fear they are next in Russia's target line

Greetings: Obama greeted US Air Force Colonel Douglas Mellars (left) and US ambassador Matthew Barzun (right) as he arrived at Royal Air Force Station Fairford

The heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers will initiate discussions with a working dinner tomorrow on the HMS Duncan, a £1 billion ship.
The sixth-in-class of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers made it through a very tight gap in the Welsh capital on Tuesday as diplomats flew in.
Destroyer HMS Duncan joined the M-05 Viesturs ship from Latvia, a minehunter, which was already docked at the site.
They are set to be joined by the Dutch minesweeper HNLMS Urk, and a missile patrol boat in camouflage colours called HNoMS Skudd from Norway.
Also there will be the German-built minesweeper LNS Kursis from Lithuania and the latest French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet.
In addition, the Royal Navy's HMS Biter patrol boat and HMS Express fast patrol boat will be part of the contingent.

Carefully does it: Type 45 air-defence destroyer HMS Duncan arrives at Cardiff, south Wales, in preparation for the upcoming Nato summit

Getting her in: The Navy joins thousands of police officers armed with guns who are on the streets of Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit

Squeezed in: The sixth-in-class of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers, which is one of the summit venues, arrived in the Welsh capital on Tuesday

Docked: The £1billion HMS Duncan will be holding a working dinner for heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers tomorrow

In response to the Ukraine crisis, the U.S. has vowed to contribute troops and equipment to a rapid response force in Eastern Europe that would be able to deploy within 48 hours.
Nato has already stepped up its air, land and sea rotations in the region.
And Mr Obama announced last night that he would send more Air Force units and aircraft to the Baltics, likely to Estonia's Amari Air Base.
The alliance is also planning to establish forward operating bases in eastern Europe where fuel, ammunition and other supplies can by stockpiled ready for use in operations.
With Britain and the US two of only four member states to meet the alliance's obligation to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence, Mr Cameron and Mr Obama will be pressing other leaders to raise their spending on their armed forces.
The US president had some harsh words for European members who had failed to deliver on their commitments in the past.
'For I think a certain period of time there was a complacency here in Europe about the demands that were required to make sure that Nato was able to function effectively,' he said.
'Obviously what's happened in Ukraine is tragic, but I do think it gives us an opportunity to look with fresh eyes and understand what it is that's necessary to make sure that our Nato commitments are met.'
Mr Cameron and Mr Obama will hold talks tomorrow with president Poroshenko - together with Mr Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi - ahead of the main summit meeting.

Taken through: A Ministry of Defence photograph of the UK's latest warship HMS Duncan arriving in Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit

Capturing the moment: People take photographs of HMS Duncan that is moored in Queen Alexandra Dock ahead of the Nato Summit 2014

Photos: With just 30in manoeuvring room either side, the imposing HMS Duncan has arrived in Cardiff ahead of the much-anticipated Nato summit

Security: Police have arrived in Wales from across the UK in numbers ahead of the Nato summit being held in Newport on Thursday and Friday

'The alliance must demonstrate clearly that Russia's actions are unacceptable and that we stand by the people of Ukraine and their right to decide the future of their country,' a UK government source said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said last night that Nato must ‘toughen up’ to deal with the modern-day threats it faces - including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, terrorist threats from ISIS in Iraq, and the rising control of Boko Haram in northern Africa.
He spoke after attending a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee in the wake of the latest video apparently showing the beheading of a second US journalist.
Mr Fallon did not comment in detail on the killing, nor on a British hostage who has been threatened by Islamic State extremists, at the conference.
But he called for changes to Nato, including a faster response to threats, better co-operation, and a commitment by all members to increase their defence spending.

Incoming: The French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet arrives in Cardiff Bay, ahead of the Nato summit at the Celtic Manor Resort

Watching on: La Motte Picquet arrived as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said today that Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces

Ship shape: The French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet carefully negotiates its way into Cardiff Bay, ahead of the Nato summit

Getting ready: Royal Navy patrol boats are seen in Cardiff docks ahead of the Nato Summit 2014. Final preparations are being made in both Cardiff and Newport

On guard: Armed police patrol Cardiff Bay in Wales on the eve of the Nato summit. Some 67 world leaders will be attending the event

He told the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) conference: ‘Despite certain similarities to the Cold War era, it is obvious now that we live in rather different times.
‘The world is more interconnected than it’s ever been. The threats have evolved since Nato last focused on collective defence. We are now witnessing almost daily atrocities unfold across the Middle East.

HMS DUNCAN: TYPE 45 DESTROYER

Top speed: 29 knots
Range: 7,000 nm at 18 knots
Displacement: 7,350 tons full load
Length: 500ft
Crew: 187
Construction: BAE Systems
Launched: October 11, 2010

‘Yesterday Isil fanatics appears to add the sickening killing of Steven Sotloff to the long litany of barbaric acts that have been committed.’
He said member states faced a ‘stark choice’, to either ‘ enfeeble’ the alliance by letting investment dry up, or by ‘reviving its spirit’.
‘Let me be very clear about the UK’s position,’ he said. ‘It’s time now to toughen up so that Nato can deal with the aggression and the threats that we face.
‘That means rapid reaction forces that are worthy of the name, that means better sharing of capability, and it means the first ever public commitment to increase defence spending.
‘That will demonstrate to all those who threaten us that the state of our transatlantic bond is strong. The unpredictable and uncertain threats of today and tomorrow demand nothing less than that.’
Calling for Britain’s Nato allies to increase their defence investment to prove the alliance ‘means business’, Mr Fallon warned the United States will not go on ‘picking up the cheque’ if Europe chooses to prioritise social welfare spending when ‘threats are on our doorstep’.
He said: ‘Nato was formed on the basis that Europe would pay her way. Like any insurance policy, defence only pays out when you pay in.’
His comments echo those made yesterday by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who told Nato parliamentarians: ‘European Nato allies cannot expect the US to continue to carry the burden of defending Europe if European taxpayers are not willing to invest in their own security.’
It was also revealed yesterday that the Ministry of Defence is signing a £3.5billion contract for almost 600 new armoured vehicles

On your bike, son: Police officers patrol streets on motorcycles in Cardiff, on the eve of the Nato summit

Stance: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (pictured today) has said Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces

Presence: Police stand guard at Cardiff Castle, ahead of the Nato summit in south Wales

Tank: A police officer walks past a military vehicle exhibit on the grounds of the Celtic Manor Resort prior to a Nato summit in Newport, Wales

Britain will make the case at the meeting for increased defence spending by the alliance's 28 member states.

The contract for 589 Scout Specialist Vehicles, being signed at General Dynamics in Oakdale, south Wales, is the largest single order placed by the MoD for armoured vehicles for more than 30 years.
Delivery of the first vehicles is expected in 2017, with a training establishment and first squadron due to be equipped by mid-2019 and a brigade ready to deploy by the end of 2020.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the contract would secure 1,300 jobs across the UK and sustain 300 posts in Wales.

The police presence in Newport has been increased ahead of the summit which will host more than 60 delegates from 28 countries and thousands of support staff

An armed police officer (left) and officer right, at Cardiff Castle, pictured in a light blue cap that police are being asked to wear to symbolise they are working as a team

Police guard a road leading to HMS Duncan that is moored in Queen Alexandra Dock ahead of the Nato Summit hosted at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport

British police officers walk past an F35 jet model as thousands of officers arrive in Newport and Cardiff after they were drafted in from across the country to police event