Stand by me, Bush tells Europe
From correspondents in Brussels
February 22, 2005
From: Agence France-Presse
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12334074-38200,00.html


Protests ... a demonstrator holds up an anti-Bush placard that reads "Seriously damages human rights" in Brussels yesterday / Reuters

US President George W. Bush today vowed the United States and Europe would never be divided, as he sought to banish lingering anger over the Iraq war, which plunged transatlantic ties to their lowest ebb.
"No temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on Earth will ever divide us," Mr Bush pledged at the start of a landmark visit to the heart of Europe.

"For more than 60 years, our nations stood together to face great challenges of history," he told a gathering of European dignitaries in Brussels.
"Together, we opposed totalitarian ideologies with our might and with our patience. Together, we united this continent with our democratic values.
"Yet, our relationship is founded on more than nostalgia. In a new century, the alliance of Europe and North America is the main pillar of our security.
"When Europe and America stand together, no problem can stand against us. As past debates fade, as great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of transatlantic unity."

Mr Bush was speaking on the first foreign trip of his second term, which is aimed at burying the hachet over the US-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq.
It remains to be seen whether critics will accept the US olive branch after Washington rode roughshod over their opposition to the conflict.

Indeed, further storm clouds appear to be looming after a warning from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in an interview that "Iraq is not over" and looming disputes over such key issues as lifting an EU arms embargo on China.
Mr Bush has already held warm talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who along with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder led opposition to the war.

Joining in with the spirit of reconciliation, Mr Verhofstadt told a gala audience gathered in the old Concert Noble ballroom that the divisions over Iraq were now a thing of the past.

"The time has come to draw a line under the tensions of the recent past," he said as he introduced Mr Bush, who will hold summits with NATO and European Union leaders this week.
"It makes little sense to continue arguing about who was right and who was wrong," he added. "Our tactics may sometimes differ, but our strategic goals remain the same."

Mr Bush will be in for a tougher time when he hosts a dinner for Mr Chirac, an old antagonist, with both men holding the other in some disdain.

"Chirac thinks Bush is superficial. Bush thinks Chirac is unprincipled and too wily for his own good."
Mr Bush is also due to meet Mr Schroeder, whose Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, welcomed Mr Bush's trip, saying both sides should seize the chance to work together.

"I think when we look to the 21st century ... a strong transatlantic relationship and the power of the United States and Canada is of decisive importance for both sides," he said.

However, Timothy Garton Ash, from the European studies centre at Oxford University, said Mr Bush did not address in his speech the issue of "why it matters for the United States to work with the European Union".
"I don't think he will convince many Europeans talking like that ... this is not a breakthrough speech."