(Peter Morgan/Reuters)
Posted on 09/22/2004 12:51:24 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
LONDON, Sept. 22 — The editorial cartoon in the Times of London newspaper today was derisive: the first panel has President Bush telling the United Nations General Assembly, "Friends, our policy in Iraq is directed solely towards a successful election."
The second panel has him saying which election: "Mine."
European newspapers, including some that supported the American military campaign in Iraq, were largely critical of Mr. Bush's address on Tuesday to the United Nations.
The Financial Times contended in its lead editorial that the Bush administration "systematically refused to engage with what actually has happened in Iraq" namely, in its view, that American policy "mistakes" have "handed the initiative to jihadi terrorists" who "now have a new base from which to challenge the West and moderate Islam."
The paper said that Mr. Bush's Democratic challenger, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, "after being evasive, long-winded and sometimes contradictory," was beginning to speak more realistically than Mr. Bush about deterioration in Iraq. And, the newspaper asserted, that Mr. Bush's "disengagement from the reality of a sinking Iraq is alarming."
The left-leaning Independent newspaper carried an editorial cartoon of Osama bin Laden putting up a Bush campaign poster saying "4 More Years" on a shell-pocked bit of masonry in Iraq. The cartoon seemed to be inspired by a diplomatic spat over remarks attributed to the British ambassador to Rome, Sir Ivor Roberts. After a private discussion on policy that was deemed to be off the record, Sir Ivor was quoted by an Italian newspaper as saying that Mr. Bush had become "the best recruiting sergeant" for Al Qaeda.
In its editorial, the Independent said that Mr. Bush "gave little hint" in his speech of the "catastrophic war" under way in Iraq. "Instead of a measured account of reality in Iraq," the editorial said, "he treated the ranks of national leaders gathered at the U.N. to a portentous and self-justifying speech brimming with cliches about `freedom' and `democracy' that glorified the American way."
Applause for Mr. Bush was scarce on the Continent, but in Poland, the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper ran a commentary by Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, who noted that Mr. Bush's speech had to be considered in the context of an election campaign. And after hearing the views of Senator Kerry, the foreign minister said that Poland considers itself "closer to the position presented by Bush."
The Polish newspaper Nasz Dzinnik, however, argued in an editorial that Mr. Bush, having "attacked Iraq in defiance" of those nations that called for United Nations authorization for invasion, Mr. Bush was now trying to convince the international community that it should pay for the "chaos" caused by "reckless policy."
In France, two major newspapers commented on Mr. Bush's remarks in New York. The left-of-center Liberation congratulated Mr. Kerry for belatedly setting forth a comprehensive position on Iraq, and for advocating an approach that would "involve U.S. allies in a broader way."
President Bush, the paper said, is "part of the problem rather than the solution" when it comes to working with allies. In his speech to the United Nations, the paper said, Mr. Bush "showed that slightly autistic self-satisfaction remains the dominant tendency of American power."
In Le Figaro, which reflects the thinking of France's conservative establishment, the correspondent Philippe Gelie observed that Mr. Bush was "impervious to criticism" in the conduct of American foreign policy. His speech in New York was that of a "campaigning American president" who "lectured the rest of the world."
"In his vision of a global war between good and evil, each new crime strengthens his conviction of having been right against those who accuse him of having invaded Iraq under false pretenses," Mr. Gelie wrote.
The German daily Tagesspiegel's editorial was blunt in its review of the speech. Its headline said, "US, UN, Iraq: the truth counts for nothing."
Italy's largest newspaper, Corriere della Sera, said Mr. Bush had "forgotten that his go-it-alone approach has alienated many sympathizers" with American goals in the Middle East, and admonishing the White House that it would take "more than an isolated appeal during an election campaign" to rebuild the consensus that once existed on Iraq.
A pretty sure sign that he's protecting American interests!
Europe, pffffft.
I am just getting so sick of these amoral relativistic Europeans. Apparently to Europeans, overthrowing a brutal dictator and helping Iraq toward democracy is a bad thing, and Saddam and terrorists are good things. What a twisted universe they live in!
Go GW! The UN without the US would be bankrupt morally and financially. The US need to pull out of the UN and boot the rest of "em back to their third world dumps. These third world despots reming me of panhandlers.
Means the speech was truthful...and who really cares what they think?
Bush speech wins few compliments in Europe???
In response, three words come to mind.
GOOD!
Dear Europe:
We protected your sorry @sses from The Evil Empire for 50+ years...and you stab us in the back as payment. NEVER AGAIN. We will always remember, we will never forget, and we will never forgive. So when Paris or London or Berlin gets obliterated by an Islamofascist nuke, don't call us cause we won't answer the phone. Oh, and yes, Dubya is going to win re-election by a LANDSLIDE.
Europe is self-destructing. Next time you get in real trouble, Europe, don't expect our military to bail your sorry a$$ out.
The Euro-pee ons were unmoved? I'm shocked I say, shocked!
The surrender monkeys are doing what they do best--surrender.
We bailed their "La Butts" three times, WWI, WWII, Ending of Communism....Never more, Europe, Never more will an American shed their blood for you, Never more.....
THAT'S great!
Hey Europe, USA has succeeded in two hundred years that you still have done in thousands.....
LOL
I guess Bush just better ride off into the sunset because the idiots of the world don't like him. I mean if France doesn't like you what do you have left? Your self-repect, Honor, and courage. And thats just to start with.
They're really big talkers.
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