White House spokesman Tony Snow said rumors Bush's watch was stolen in Albania are false.
(CNN) - The mystery of President Bush's missing watch has been solved.
After days of internet rumors and international reports that the president’s watch was stolen as he was mobbed by a crowd in Albania this weekend, the White House is setting the record straight.
Asked at Tuesday’s briefing if the presidents watched was lifted, spokesman Tony Snow answered, “No, it was not. It was placed in his pocket...the president put it in his pocket and it returned safely home.”
Snow says a careful review of video of the scene confirms no pilfering.
Snow also said there was no concern over the president’s safety as enthusiastic well wishers grabbed his hands and arms.
“What you had was an example of when captive nations come free," he said.
Using the moment to allude to recent White House foreign policy decisions, he added, “They understand the role the United States has played through the decades, taking unpopular moves.”
Snow also said the crowd was “euphoric because we helped make them free....if there was a problem, the Secret Service would have dealt with it. Trust me."
The CNN White House unit reports it is not unusual for the president to take off a watch or his cuff links before greeting a crowd at a rope-line, internationally or inside the U.S.
– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk
From CNN Politics
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I think it was stolen.
they just don't want to admit to it, especially since Albania was the only country that actually was friendly towards Mr. Bush. LOL! It was taken for sure! LOL!
I think it wasn't... Maybe because I know this country, and their culture... But, knowing that Italy and Albania 'love' each other, this is something made up by the Italians. I hope that the italian newspaper (Corriere della Sera) will publish this news... and make an appologize to the Albanian people in Albania and especially in Italy. THanks
Who cares! He is the leader of the Free World and the most powerful man on the planet. I think between him and the taxpayers of the United States, we can afford to buy him a new watch. It's not like the codes to our nuclear arsenal were hidden in the watch.
Curtis,
"It’s not like the codes to our nuclear arsenal were hidden in the watch."
And you know this how?
Obviously it must have been stolen! Look at Snow's slip up:
Snow says a careful review of video of the scene confirms no pilfering.
Why would you have to review the video if the watch was brought home in the President's pocket, as claimed? They probably reviewed it to make sure the swipe wasn't obvious, so that they could put forth a plausible denial. Imagine the criticism the SS would get if they let someone get close enough to steal his watch!
These are some of the dumbest things I have ever heard anyone say. Tony Snow should do some hw first and then comment on a nations captivity sicne Albania has been free for the past 20 years and America was not the one who made them free.
Look at the pictures. Before he went out he was wearing his watch and his wedding ring. Later on in the pictures, his watch and his ring are missing. No doubt he took them off as anyone in that situation would because of the sheer value of something like that coming from such a well known world figure.
i have been in albania they are the nicest people on earth lovely, respectful, and friendly i dont think that anyone will steal bush's watch in albania positive 100%
Ah, but you never know, maybe they were! And hey, just because he can afford another watch doesn't mean I am afford to buy him one. I only have $20 in the bank. He doesn't need a watch. He has plenty of peole to tell him what time it is! lol!!!!
Curtis you are a dumbass!! It is some of my fellow American's like yourself and your arrogance that fuels the hate of American citizens by others around the world. Evidence in question, the tone of your e-mail and the words you chose to use.
Perhaps you should just keep your mouth shut. We all know that it is just a watch that can be replaced. We are smart enough to figure that out ourselves without your genius deduction of the issue!!
You call that "solved"? Tony Snow spins it the only way he possibly can, and that's good enough for CNN! Your work is done, take the rest of the day off.
This just proves to me that other countries are unamerican.
I am glad CNN is all over the "Breaking News"
How often does the President put his watch in the pocket?
Not a big deal... Not sure if he can tell time anyway
It's a good thing he still has the watch. The codes to our nuclear arsenal were hidden in that watch.
I am less concerned about who picked his watch, than I am, who picked his brain.
sounds post-modern.
-y2kLv-.
If Bush put the watch in his pocket there would have been no reason to go back and review the tapes! I say check ebay
This is a good chance to see who are the dogs who bark all the time and who are the pragmatic people. Glory to president Bush and all Albanians
We'll, I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Why is this news? Who cares? Write about something important~
"It’s not like the codes to our nuclear arsenal were hidden in the watch."
Hmm... well after seeing the feats of our great leader while in power, they may well have been, lest he forgets them.
Stolen for sure!
In the country which is actually European Columbia (main economic activities are drug smuggling and human trafficking) he should be lucky that Air Force One didn't vanish.
We'll see how much they "like U.S.A." once they reach their goals.
When they were ruled by Enver Hoxa and were running across the Albanian border to Serbia (Kosovo is its' part for last 1000 years), they liked Serbia most. Before that, they liked Mao most. Before that, they liked Stalin most. Before that Mussolini and Hitler, etc.
They are closed society, organized in families, clans called "fis" and tribes. State is just "decoration" there and has no power over mafia. They simply see powerful countries as vehicles for achieving whatever they want to achieve. But don't be mistaken that they have whatever emotion about it.
This time their elders told them to go and greet U.S. president and they obeyed it. Next time, when U.S. don't agree to take peace of Macedonia or Greece and give it to Albania, their elders will tell them to go and shut U.S. president and they will obey, too...
And this is newsworthy material? Seriously,there are plenty of subjects that matter:outrageous gas prices(and why nothing is done about it in Congress),shady immigration laws,and the Presidents unusual agenda for enforcing "peace" on everyone else in the world. Someone's watch doesn't matter.
First of all I am impressed he could read a watch; second, I guess it's time (no pun intended) to attack Albania now; third, who believes anything this administration says?
Hey, I don't know if I'd go so far as to say "free" world anymore. We can't even get the entire congress to vote "no confidence" in someone they have no confidence in. The justice department stops people from delegating justice. We're torturing people in secret CIA prisons in other countries
I think we are going to have a national nervous breakdown someday soon.
Well a little light hearted folly in dark times proves to be as good as medicine!
However, I think school must be out and CNN might have to require proof of age from posters. Or are those happy faces seniors?
The reason why this is news? No one believes anything coming from this administration, from its earliest days (remember "he blacked out from choking on a pretzel?") to the present.
You can see in the video that he goes over to the crowd with his watch on... then he moves down and the watch is missing. To all those who say they know the Albanian culture, are you SURE you can speak for every single person in the country. There are people out to make a quick steal and quick buck everywhere. His watch is gone, the White House covered it up. Get over it. As for me, I can't wait for the next President to come along...
Of course it was stolen.
The White House statement is a lie, but for sure not the worst we heard so far.
Albanian organized crime is well established in the USA and getting stronger by the day in Europe.
Kosovo, under UN control, developed to be a center of drug, weapon and human trafficking without control!
But, it's probably all the Serb's fault again?
We must have Senate Hearings with sworn testimony from everyone in Albania and the Secret Service personnel and a frame by frame review of the video showing the President putting the watch in his pocket.
OR we could just check and see if he files a claim for a stolen watch with his home insurance company?
Thank God there's nothing more important to cover in the world....wait a minute! How's Paris doing? Where's my update on her???
I have carefully reviewed the video... and Bush is wearing a Watch with a Leather Strap... He would have to be amazingly skilled AND double jointed in order to get this watch off his left wrist without useing his Right hand... and in the video his to hands don't come into contact between the last frame we see the watch and the one were it is suddenly gone. While there may be somepeople on earth who can manage this trick... Bush isn't one of them.
Tony Snow will lie about anything.
I'm surprised they let the Albanians near him. But, in America, unless you signed a statement of support, you could not get anywhere near this guy! What a joke!
Unless he took it off with one hand, which would be rather difficult it was taken off. Of the numerous talents that he may have, I don't believe that to be one of them. Rewatched the video. Although it does appear that he put his hand back down in his pocket, his other hand never comes near. Indicating that it came loose, it was stolen, or he is just that good.
Yes...the ENTIRE country of Albania are lovely, respectful, and friendly. What color is the sky in your world kim,NYC. I visited a jail onetime, and all the inmates were very lovely and friendly to me, I'm positive they are all innocent.
Mobbed? CNN never lets me down when it comes to there bias against the President. You should have written "crowd having no respect for President bit him and slapped him and stole his watch!".
You call that “solved”? Tony Snow spins it the only way he possibly can, and that’s good enough for CNN! Your work is done, take the rest of the day off.
Posted By Alvin, Eagleville, PA : June 12, 2007 2:00 pm
Amen Alvin!
He did not remove the watch. You can see someones hand lift the watch off and steal it. He continued shaking hands for a couple of more minutes before he ever knew it was missing. In the video he never moves his hands to his pocket or moves like he took it off. So unless a secret service agent took it off while he was shaking hands it was stolen. Why does Bush's cabinet even have to lie about something as stupid as this? Are they incapable of telling the truth about anything?
wow. Guys, just for your information.
Check one more time the video and look at the security guy with mustaches, while he goes to Mr. president and very chuickly remove his watch from his hand, in order not to hurt anybody from the crowd and himself.
Guys, i'm not saying that there is no albanian who steal, BUT.... THEY.... REALLY.....LOVE......USA.
I don't blame if you don't understand it.
I think that's enough with prejudgements about albanians Mr. you
We (Americans) are so Pompous! First of all, it was believed that the watch was "lifted" from him, by a "lowly" Albanian! I wonder if that same assumption would have been made if he was walking through a crowd of elitist Republicans! And then for the Spokesman to say, "What you had was an example of when "captive" nations become free. Are the people in Iraq celebrating freedom? America (U.S) needs to come to the realization that we are not the givers of Freedom! We hold people captive everyday, in one form or another! Whenever we help another nation, you can bet that there is something in it for us! Our (America's) over inflated view of our wonderfulness is sickening!
His watch 'dissapears' on the 51st second of the video - that is why Bush stops for one small second and looks down because his watch falls. Somebody from the administration then picks it up and puts in his pocket and take off his ring, too.
How many times does he put his watch in his pocket? If the circumstances were similar to this (cheering crowd and grabbing his hand to touch him), he would have to do it every time. People were pushing as you could see in the video.
I dont like Bush a lot, but the Albanians were showing all the respect they have for the US. And when respect someone, they do it for real and with honors. NYT said it good, Bush got the honors for everything the Americans did.
I am actually surprised that comments which tell the truth by saying that Tony is a liar get posted THANK YOU DEMOCRACY
There is a different video taken 30 minutes after the incident which clearly shows President Bush is wearing his watch and his weeding ring while getting on Air force one.
For all you Americans who dislike president Bush ( Albania would have welcomed the same way any US leader)
It wasn't stolen. Just look at the security guy with mostaches who gets near to him.
Here in Kosova and Albania, the tv chanels studied carefuly the scene were the guy put one hand his waist and within secinds takes his watch.
I think you guys should know that ALBANIANS REALLY LOVE USA.
And also i thin that you guys just should stop throw up bad things for albanians. It's imoral.
Best wishes.
To the mindless/racist ignorants that believe the watch was stolen:
This is nothing but Greek, Italian and Serbian propaganda to throw dirt on Albania and the Albanian people, the only people that still know and understand the meaning of the word "honor". Needless to say that I am Albanian an damn proud of it.
I think it's telling the White House staff are so afraid of Bush that instead of just asking him "still got your watch, chief" they went and reviewed the tape to find out.
What kind of imperious, cold and distant figure of fear and intimidation Bush must be to his own people.
Also the "Other countries are unamerican" line is brilliant in a Stephen Colbert kind of way. Good one.
I could really care less the nationality of the person who stole the watch. Fact is, the watch is gone from one second he's shaking hands to the next. This is really quite funny, and the administration denies it so Albania won't look bad. Whatever, doesn't bother me. Bottom line–that watch is on ebay.
even when there is no reason to lie this administration lies. its a sickness and is pathetic. watching the video it sure looks like it was stolen, unless bush slipped his watch off with the hand below the wrist it was on which i doubt since he can barely ride a bike or form a coherent sentence.
The nuclear codes (or as Bush says, "nuculer" codes) aren't on his watch. He just uses "1234" for all his important codes!
This is a such hoax! You can see it clearly, that at one point he steps back from the crowd, takes the watch and puts is in his right pocket, before going back into the crowd. Two or three frames after that, the Dutch video has a circle around his wrist showing no watch. But, of course! I agree, it makes up for a good joke, but appart from that, there is nothing else to this story.
The great show of support for President Bush, and the United States in general, by the Albanian people is bothering the hell out of the likes of Serbia, Greece, and Russia.
Good, this makes me very happy.
God Bless America and the Albanian people in the Balkans.
You wrote this: "This just proves to me that other countries are unamerican."
Posted By Nedward, Trenton, NJ : June 12, 2007 2:01 pm
What an un-Canadian thing to say. For a future shortcut any country that doest start with the letters A.M.E.R.I.C.A. is gonna be un american
Obviously, everyone sees what they want to see. If they want to see a sec guard taking his watch, or they want to see an Albanian taking his watch, there are spots where both of them are plausible occurences. I think that the "albanians love us" argument is flawed, but I also think that probably it wasn't stolen because I don't think very many people have the balls to spend 3 seconds stealing a world leaders watch under full view of 8 armed secret service agents. Also, there seems to be proof he was wearing the watch later on.
On behalf of all real Americans, I hereby apologize to any Albanians who were offended by the disgusting comments made here by delusional psychotics residing in our country.
We're sorry about that, but our insane asylums have very loose policies concerning where the keyboard can be shoved up.
Who the heck is Albania?
the issueis not the watch that of course maybe it is not stolen but somehow was cutten from his hand and the spokesman is telling lies one more time, but how this monkey nation can kiss the hand of a man who is ordering the making of warr and killing of humans at the time that all the word is against.maybe because they believe he will construct another state,,the state of kosovo,,as the state of albania was created from the nothing the 1912.but albanians do not know that american political interest in ballkans one day may change and may want to favorite serbs or FYROM.
Of course they would accuse us first of stealing in Europe. The reception he received, the street in his name, the 3 new post stamps and the 21 gun salute in his honor, he was decorated, honored, hugged, and kissed, but all of it in a well coordinated effort by all Albanians in the world to steal his $50 watch. It could not have fallen off accidentally, as a logical person might assume, in a crowd of thousands admiring, trying to catch glimpse, trying to touch and embrace the leader of the US, a country all people of Albanian descent are forever indebted to. No, no, no, no, no. It must have been stolen, we were planning it for years and everyone fell for it (we couldn’t fool the Italians, Greeks, Swiss, and Russians of course, but we are not perfect). Someone here jokingly said it would be the perfect excuse to invade Albania. Personally, I agree. It is justified. I urge the State and Defense Departments to draw up plans immediately. As an additional measure, I think all Albanians should create a common fund to pay for a new watch for the President. A really expensive watch, especially made in … let’s say … Italy or Switzerland.
This is pathetic.
God bless the U.S.!!!
I couldn't agree more with Chris from Princeton. Who would dare steal a watch in the presence of all those security guys and so many cameras?! The Italians made it up, as thay can't stand to hear in the news worldwide that Albanians were referred to as the best hosting country for the President Bush. I don't favour Bush myself, and am looking forward to the next Presidential Elections in the US. Also many thanks to Richard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida!!! Not everyone should be allowed to post a comment here. They should first pass an "ethics test".
I suspect that the same type of welcome will be given one day to an US President by the people of N. Korea. The common denominator of the Albanian and N. Korean people is that whole generations grew under the most oppressive varieties of totalitarianism with no conception or respect for private property. It is quite possible Bush's watch was stolen, since people who grew under such trying circumstances often have no qualms about "sharing" other people's goods.
lol. some of the comments in here are so stupid it's sad. i'm albanian myself and also a veteran. i agree with some of the people in here that say that this is not news. i'm ready for a new president. i don't hate Mr. Bush but i don't like him either.
anywho some of the people in here have so much hate in here and they're so stupid i personally think they're a danger to themselves.
Bush went to Albania for two reasons, 1) to thank the country for the support in the OEF and OIF operations and
2) to say that he supports Kosovo's independance.
some of us will hate the this some others don't care.
Next!
I think it was stolen, bush lied because he did not want to make a big deal out of it and make the albanian people look bad since they welcomed him so much
Maybe he lost it or maybe he didn't. BUT we don't know, do we? The only person who knows exactly is Mr. Bush...maybe Mrs. Bush. Let's talk about something else!
I can clearly see by hitting pause and unpause real fast that you can see for a quick second when he pulls away form the crowd in question for the last time he has his watch on. you can see it in a triangle area between a guys head his arm come back to him with his watch on. Then he fumbles around in his coat and returns his arm back to the crowd with no watch. I believe it is in his coat.
my .02
One irony here is that Albania loves the US because Bill Clinton saved ethnic Albanians while Yugoslavia was falling apart.
Also, isn't it possible the watch _fell off_ during the scrum, and was returned by a loving Albanian (who may or may not have looked at the secret codes first
WHAT A SARCASTIC STORY!!! LOOKS LIKE ALBANIA'S NEIGHBORS ARE ENVIOUS OF THE WAY THE ALBANIA TAKES CARE OF ITS GUESTS. THIS IS THE ONLY EXPLANATION TO THIS RIDICULOUS "STORY". THROUGH PRESIDENT BUSH, ALBANIA SHOWED ITS RESPECT FOR AMERICA.
Albania loves America...but keep an eye on your valuables, if you know what I mean
The watch was not stolen, a NBC camera view shows Bush taking the watch off and putting in his pocket.
Wow, we don't even know how to lie anymore! If the watch is in your pocket, you don't have to review the video.
I Also Think It Was stolen And They Just Dont Want To Admit It... The Presidental Staff Has Had A steady Amount Of Bad Luck The Last Few Weeks. Hopefully Their Luck Will Change
i Cant belive what anti albanians can do only to express albanians like thieves.it obvious that albanians didnt stole his watch .shame on you .
we love amerikans not just Pres. Bush but we are thankful for everything that they have done for us .good bless albania and Usa