President Bush goes to Europe!

[Guest Vitamin X]

Bush in Europe to Mend Fences, Confront Problems

 

By Steve Holland

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) arrived in Europe on Sunday for a five-day trip aimed at fostering a friendly atmosphere early in his second term and addressing how to deal with Iran, Syria and NATO (news - web sites)'s future.

 

Bush will meet European Union (news - web sites) and NATO leaders on Monday and Tuesday. He will give a speech on Monday setting the tone for his visit, underscoring his bedrock belief that spreading freedom will make the world more peaceful.

 

He will offer a sweetener to governments upset by his abrupt withdrawal from the Kyoto treaty in 2001 by saying climate change is a problem and offering to work together on new technologies.

 

He will seek a fresh start in relations with French President Jacques Chirac by meeting him at a working dinner, and will go to Mainz, Germany, on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

 

Chirac and Schroeder led European opposition to the Iraq (news - web sites) war but officials on both sides of the Atlantic see an intense period of rapprochement under way so they can work together on Iraq's reconstruction and other urgent priorities.

 

"America and Europe are the pillars of the free world. We share the same belief in freedom and the rights of every individual, and we are working together across the globe to advance our common interest and common values," Bush said in his weekly radio address on Saturday.

 

Bush will end his trip in Bratislava, Slovakia, where he will praise the country's democracy and will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) and raise U.S. concerns Putin is backsliding on Russian democracy and centralizing power.

 

"He's done some things that has concerned people," Bush told Slovak state television.

 

Europe and the United States appeared united on the need to put pressure on Syria after the targeted killing last Monday of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Syria denies involvement in the death but Washington suspects it had a role and is pressing Syria to remove its troops from Lebanon.

 

DIVISIONS ON IRAN

 

The two sides are more divided on the debate over Iran's nuclear program, which oil-rich Tehran insists is for generating electricity but which Washington believes is aimed at building a nuclear weapon.

 

The ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate intelligence committee, Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, said Bush's discussions with Putin would be crucial, particularly over Iran.

 

"I think his most important conversation will be with President Putin of Russia because he has come out very recently and said the Iranians are not producing nuclear weapons, it's only nuclear power and therefore he's going to go ahead and continue helping them. And I think that's a stern conversation they need to have," Rockefeller told "Fox News Sunday."

 

The European Union, led by France, Germany and Britain, has offered trade and political benefits if Iran gives up uranium enrichment, and believes it would bolster the EU's leverage if the United States got involved in the bargaining.

 

The United States supports the EU effort and is closely monitoring the talks with an eye toward bringing the case to the U.N. Security Council and asking for sanctions. EU diplomats would prefer to resolve the issue without the Security Council.

 

The future of the NATO alliance and transatlantic relations will provide an important touchstone for discussions.

 

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Bush's visit would reaffirm the value of the transatlantic alliance.

 

"The signal that Bush is giving by coming to Europe now is very important," the Dutch NATO chief said in an interview with the "Buitenhof" program on Dutch television on Sunday.

 

Bush took exception to Schroeder's recent comment that NATO was no longer "the primary venue" for transatlantic dialogue. He is also questioning Chirac's call for a united Europe to act as a counterbalance to the powerful United States.

 

Hundreds of demonstrators protested in Brussels on Sunday ahead of Bush's arrival.

 

Both the far left and far right were demonstrating, with the right wanting him to pull U.S. troops out of Europe and the left criticizing what they say is his disdain for international law.

 

"I am protesting against Bush's visit and the fact that security is being funded by the Belgian taxpayer. That's inappropriate for such a criminal," said 25-year-old Tom, a social worker.

Let the hilarity ensue.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

I thought of Ernest Goes to Camp when I read the thread title.

[AndrewTS 0]

"He will seek a fresh start in relations with French President Jacques Chirac by meeting him at a working dinner,"

 

*stops reading to go outside and laugh maniacally*

[Guest Vitamin X]

I thought of Ernest Goes to Camp when I read the thread title.

That was kind of my intention.

[cbacon 0]

And here come the pretzels....

[Guest MikeSC]

Maybe Bush should just slaughter lots of Americans. People who slaughter their own people tend to make Chirac pop wood.

-=Mike

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

Maybe Bush should just slaughter lots of Americans. People who slaughter their own people tend to make Chirac pop wood.

-=Mike

You first.

[cbacon 0]

Maybe Bush should just slaughter lots of Americans. People who slaughter their own people tend to make Chirac pop wood.

-=Mike

 

Please, you act as if Bush and his predecessors never support oppresive regiemes

[Guest MikeSC]

Maybe Bush should just slaughter lots of Americans. People who slaughter their own people tend to make Chirac pop wood.

          -=Mike

You first.

Well, if he killed you, the whole world would cheer. So Chirac would likely be in mourning.

Please, you act as if Bush and his predecessors never support oppresive regiemes

Not with the open glee Chirac does.

-=Mike

[SuperJerk 0]

Glee is irrelevant.

[Guest MikeSC]

Glee is irrelevant.

Chirac could at least PRETEND to find the thugs he likes distasteful.

-=Mike

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Sorta on topic:

 

On the local RIGHT-WING RADIO station I listen to, there's a weekend sports show that I will listen to if I'm in the car. Well, the guy played a soundbite of Bush talking to some grassroots supporters. He talked about how grassroots action played a big part in his re-election and said he was here to "fertilize" these grassroots supporters.

 

Sigh...

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

Sorta on topic:

 

On the local RIGHT-WING RADIO station I listen to, there's a weekend sports show that I will listen to if I'm in the car. Well, the guy played a soundbite of Bush talking to some grassroots supporters. He talked about how grassroots action played a big part in his re-election and said he was here to "fertilize" these grassroots supporters.

 

Sigh...

Poop-a-poo!