Posted on 02/20/2005 12:16:41 PM PST by TexKat
BRUSSELS, Belgium - President Bush sought to repair rocky relations with Europe, opening a visit Sunday to soothe allies embittered by the U.S.-led Iraq (news - web sites) war and frustrated that their views were often ignored by the White House.
Hoping to set a more conciliatory tone for his second term, Bush will meet over five days with some of his toughest critics: French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, both of whom fiercely opposed the U.S. led invasion.
Bush also will see Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has alarmed the West with Moscow's retreat from democracy.
The president and his wife, Laura, arrived at night on Air Force One.
US President George W. Bush walks with First Lady Laura Bush across the South Lawn of the White House to board Marine One for the short flight to Air Force One in Washington, DC. Bush will fly to Brussels where he will begin his weeklong trip to Europe.(
I fail to see why the U.S. should have to do the butt-kissing. Let the weasels crawl to us.
Should read:
Bush will meet over five days with some of his most corrupt critics: French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, both of whom fiercely opposed the U.S. led liberation.
Bush Arrives in Europe for Five-Day Tour ping!!!
I can't wait for the upcoming posts here with pictures of Leftwing Euro-Loonies protesting President Bush's visit.
"allies embittered by the U.S.-led Iraq war"?
What do they have to be bitter about? They let us down.
According to ex-Governor, Jerry Brown, socialist renown, Bush should use this trip to LEARN from the European leaders because they have been in power longer than he has and that they have things they could teach him.
He said that Bush needs to learn to listen to them instead of going off on his own with his plans to democratize the Middle East---that they KNOW MORE--
Of course, we know the know more about how to swindle millions of people out of food and medicine to line their own pockets---and how to supply dictators with arms to use against the United States---I guess that is what Bush needs to be TAUGHT according to Jerry Brown---gag me!!!
I was up pretty early and saw (on TV of course) the takeoff of Air Force One....that's travelling in style!
Can't help but worry whenever W is out of the country..
Hey, Jerry, if you ever become President, we'll listen to what you have to say. In the mean time, shut up.
"Tour"? I don't think I've ever heard a President's trip called a "tour." Does AP want us to make a comparison to Gilligan's crew?
Skinheads and Communists Protest Before Bush Visit
Sun Feb 20, 2005 12:07 PM ET
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Hundreds of demonstrators protested in Brussels on Sunday on the eve of President Bush's five-day trip to Europe. 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.
The president is due to meet Belgian leaders on Monday and European Union and NATO leaders on Tuesday to talk about Iran, Syria and Iraq as well as NATO's future. More protests are expected over the coming days with environmental, human rights and peace groups, the far left, socialists and anti-globalists all planning to take to the streets.
Several hundred left-wing demonstrators gathered in the historical heart of Brussels -- home to NATO and the EU -- to criticize Bush for not signing up to the Kyoto treaty to tackle global warming and for the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
One demonstrator carried a flag with a Nazi swastika sign woven into a U.S. flag, while the front page of a communist weekly had an image of the famous Brussels Manneken Pis statue urinating on Bush's head. Other protesters held communist flags.
"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.
Outside the U.S. embassy, several dozens of nationalist right-wing demonstrators, some of them skinheads, demanded U.S. troops to pull out of Europe.
"The cold war is over. NATO no longer has any purpose," Dirk, a 25-year old student said.
Protesters display signs denouncing the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush in Brussels February 20, 2005. Several hundred people protested against the visit of Bush, who is due to arrive later today to attend meetings at NATO and with European Union leaders. Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters
I know what you mean.
Thank you --- I haven't personally done anything re: WOT, but I am sure that President Bush would love to know that there are people outside of the United States that appreciate what he is trying to accomplish---
I just wish that the Europeans would see this as a necessity for ALL democracies, not just America. I also hope, that with an election coming up, that Tony Blair doesn't go "squishy" on the Iraq War....
Bump.
So, ole Tom is angry that the Belgian taxpayer has to pay for security---well, tough---you are demonstrating aren't you, Tom--you could be home minding your business and not trying to stir things up, couldn't you?
Besides, if they don't want to pay for security, then they need to demonstrate against their own government for having the EU headquarters and Un there---it isn't our fault, dunderhead!!!
Bratislava, Slovakia, Bush's last stop, used to be known as Pressburg. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Pressburg (Dec. 26, 1805), between France and Austria. Austria, which had annexed Venetian territory in 1797, handed over to France Venice, Istria, and Dalmatia. Parts of what are now Slovenia and Croatia were incorporated into the French Empire. Various bits of Germany were shuttled from one ruler to another.
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