Bush's "listening tour"

[skybridge]

US and Europe unite on Iraq aid

Nato members and the EU have pledged to assist with the reconstruction of Iraq, putting aside some of the splits with the US which arose over the invasion.
At a meeting attended by President George W. Bush in Brussels, the EU announced that it was keen to co-host a world conference on aid for Iraq.

It has also emerged that all 26 Nato members - including France, which vehemently opposed the war - are now helping to train Iraqi army officers.

Some contributions are, however, small.

France for instance, will send one officer to help support the mission from Nato headquarters, while Luxembourg is making a small financial contribution.

Washington says however that it is the symbolism that counts.

 All 26 allies are working together to respond to the Iraqi government's request for support by training Iraqi security forces, providing equipment and helping to fund Nato's efforts
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
Nato Secretary General 

French President Jacques Chirac told the Nato summit that the EU and the US were "true partners" and Mr. Bush described Nato as the "cornerstone" of the transatlantic relationship.

But he acknowledged calls - by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder among others - for Nato to adapt and said "we need a place for strategic dialogue".

"Nato needs to make sure its capabilities meet the threats of the 21st Century," Mr. Bush told a news conference at Nato headquarters.

Referring to the divisions opened up by the Iraq war, he stressed that "the key now is to put that behind us" and focus on consolidating democracy in Iraq.

Limited mission

Mr Bush, on the second day of his European trip, also held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose nation holds the rotating EU presidency.

 BUSH ITINERARY
Monday: Talks with Belgian leaders and a speech on transatlantic relations. Dinner with French President Jacques Chirac
Tuesday: Breakfast with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Meets Ukrainian and Italian leaders at Nato HQ, then meets EU leaders
Wednesday: Leaves Brussels for Germany. News conference with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Mainz, then meets US troops in Wiesbaden
Thursday: Gives speech in Slovak capital, Bratislava, meets Russian President Vladimir Putin
 


At a joint news conference, Mr. Juncker announced plans for the EU and US to co-host an international conference on Iraq - "should the Iraqi government invite us".

The intention, he said, was to encourage and co-ordinate international support for Iraq.

On Wednesday, Mr. Bush is due in the German city of Mainz on Wednesday to meet Mr Schroeder before travelling to the Slovak capital Bratislava for a one-day summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian media have questioned remarks made by Mr. Bush in Brussels, where he said that if Russia was to make progress as a European nation, it must renew its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Mr Putin himself told Slovak media that democracy had to be "adapted to the realities of Russian life today, to our traditions and our history".

"And we will do this ourselves," he said in the interview reported on Tuesday.

[opebo]

I'm not sure it improves our relations with the Europeans for them to actually see Bush in person.   Best if he stays in Crawford.

[Michael Z]

I welcome it. The US and Europe work better with- than against one another.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

2 and 3

[TexasPatriot2024]

I could hardly decide, i think its long over due but very important. Its like the girlscouts, they sell cookies and you love them for it but then they tell you the price. He is reaching out to the European leader but also asking for money so it seems to ruin his good intentions.