Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is scheduled to meet with US President George Bush today at the White House. According to a statement from Washington, Bush will welcome Thomas, the current chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to the White House. "Grenada is an important friend of the United States. The President looks forward to discussing a range of issues with Prime Minister Thomas including our common commitment to the expansion of economic opportunities and the strengthening of democracy in the region,” the statement said. A release from the US Embassy stated that this visit, the first to Washington since Thomas' election, "Underscores the strong spirit of cooperation and friendship between the United States and Grenada."