Ali
02-22-2005, 07:41 AM
Bush on European charm offensive (http://www.itv.com/news/1808073.html)
7.38PM, Mon Feb 21 2005
President George W Bush is attempting to repair relations with Europe following the US invasion of Iraq.
Mr Bush is in Brussels where has met European Union heads and dined with the French President Jacques Chirac, a bitter opponent of the conflict.
However, France and the US are now indicating that they want to improve their relationship.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paved the way two weeks ago when she made a whistle-stop tour of key EU capitals, Nato and the European Commission.
During a wide-ranging keynote speech on foreign policy in the Belgian capital, Mr Bush said that Syria must now end its occupation of Lebanon.
Mr Bush and Mr Chirac issued a joint statement calling for a Lebanon "free from foreign domination".
They said: "We urge full and immediate implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559 in all its aspects, including its call for a sovereign, independent and democratic Lebanon as well as for the consolidation of security under the authority of a Lebanese government free from foreign domination."
Their statement was billed as a reconciliation after two years of bitter differences over Iraq.
Mr Bush had earlier delivered another warning to Iran over its nuclear programme.
Iran earlier reiterated that it would not bow to US and European demands that it abandon uranium enrichment, stressing that its nuclear capability is "not for sale".
And the US leader said Russia must renew its commitment to democracy, urging that the US and the EU put reform at the heart of their dialogue with Moscow.
President Bush arrived in Brussels last night amid unprecedented security for two days of meetings with EU and Nato leaders, including a royal rendezvous with Belgium's King Albert.
Around 2,500 police officers, 1,000 more than are usually deployed for such summits in the Belgian capital, have been brought in.
An alliance of 88 environmental, human rights, peace and other groups have planned protests near the US Embassy later and near the EU headquarters tomorrow.
The website of the Stop Bush alliance accuses the US leader of crimes against humanity, saying he undermines international law and is an obstacle to the fight against global warming.
Mr Bush's aim is to convince a sceptical European audience that he does wish to win friends and influence people - even those who still resent his invasion of Iraq.
He is carrying the message that the EU - not just Britain - is considered to be a key ally and is being listened to and respected over foreign policy.
The message will be reiterated tomorrow at a Nato summit and separately at a meeting of EU leaders later that day.
He will have an informal lunch with the 26 Nato leaders - speaking fourth in the protocol order, behind President Chirac and the Polish and Latvian leaders.
Mr Bush will emphasise that the European allies must pull their financial as well as military weight in joint peace-keeping and humanitarian missions under the Nato umbrella.
On Wednesday, the US President will hold talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. So that's what he's doing here. Come to beg the EU for help.
And causing huge traffic problems as well, no doubt.
I'd like to see what EU countries get in return for sending soldiers. Oil contracts? Construction tenders? I doubt it.
"Hey Jackuse, sorry about all that "Freedom Fries" stuff, just kidding. Please send French soldiers to get killed protecting our oil wells and make yourself a target for Islamic Extremists. We want to invade Iran and Syria."
"You can come and help us there later, once we've turned the population into raving maniacs, who'll kill any foreigners they see."
If Chirac sends troops to Iraq under anything other than UN direction, he'll be committing political suicide here. Bush's wasting his time if he thinks NATO's the Magic Bullet the US needs to get out of the quagmire they've rushed into.
Edit: Maybe he's going to pop over to Amsterdam and sample some of the local Produce?
7.38PM, Mon Feb 21 2005
President George W Bush is attempting to repair relations with Europe following the US invasion of Iraq.
Mr Bush is in Brussels where has met European Union heads and dined with the French President Jacques Chirac, a bitter opponent of the conflict.
However, France and the US are now indicating that they want to improve their relationship.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paved the way two weeks ago when she made a whistle-stop tour of key EU capitals, Nato and the European Commission.
During a wide-ranging keynote speech on foreign policy in the Belgian capital, Mr Bush said that Syria must now end its occupation of Lebanon.
Mr Bush and Mr Chirac issued a joint statement calling for a Lebanon "free from foreign domination".
They said: "We urge full and immediate implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559 in all its aspects, including its call for a sovereign, independent and democratic Lebanon as well as for the consolidation of security under the authority of a Lebanese government free from foreign domination."
Their statement was billed as a reconciliation after two years of bitter differences over Iraq.
Mr Bush had earlier delivered another warning to Iran over its nuclear programme.
Iran earlier reiterated that it would not bow to US and European demands that it abandon uranium enrichment, stressing that its nuclear capability is "not for sale".
And the US leader said Russia must renew its commitment to democracy, urging that the US and the EU put reform at the heart of their dialogue with Moscow.
President Bush arrived in Brussels last night amid unprecedented security for two days of meetings with EU and Nato leaders, including a royal rendezvous with Belgium's King Albert.
Around 2,500 police officers, 1,000 more than are usually deployed for such summits in the Belgian capital, have been brought in.
An alliance of 88 environmental, human rights, peace and other groups have planned protests near the US Embassy later and near the EU headquarters tomorrow.
The website of the Stop Bush alliance accuses the US leader of crimes against humanity, saying he undermines international law and is an obstacle to the fight against global warming.
Mr Bush's aim is to convince a sceptical European audience that he does wish to win friends and influence people - even those who still resent his invasion of Iraq.
He is carrying the message that the EU - not just Britain - is considered to be a key ally and is being listened to and respected over foreign policy.
The message will be reiterated tomorrow at a Nato summit and separately at a meeting of EU leaders later that day.
He will have an informal lunch with the 26 Nato leaders - speaking fourth in the protocol order, behind President Chirac and the Polish and Latvian leaders.
Mr Bush will emphasise that the European allies must pull their financial as well as military weight in joint peace-keeping and humanitarian missions under the Nato umbrella.
On Wednesday, the US President will hold talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. So that's what he's doing here. Come to beg the EU for help.
And causing huge traffic problems as well, no doubt.
I'd like to see what EU countries get in return for sending soldiers. Oil contracts? Construction tenders? I doubt it.
"Hey Jackuse, sorry about all that "Freedom Fries" stuff, just kidding. Please send French soldiers to get killed protecting our oil wells and make yourself a target for Islamic Extremists. We want to invade Iran and Syria."
"You can come and help us there later, once we've turned the population into raving maniacs, who'll kill any foreigners they see."
If Chirac sends troops to Iraq under anything other than UN direction, he'll be committing political suicide here. Bush's wasting his time if he thinks NATO's the Magic Bullet the US needs to get out of the quagmire they've rushed into.
Edit: Maybe he's going to pop over to Amsterdam and sample some of the local Produce?