Text Only
Search

President Bush Says Goodbye to Europe


18 June 2008
Reaction to Bush Europe Trip / Broadband - Download (WM) video clip
Reaction to Bush Europe Trip / Broadband - Watch (WM) video clip
Reaction to Bush Europe Trip / Dialup - Download (WM) video clip
Reaction to Bush Europe Trip / Dialup - Watch (WM) video clip

U.S. President George W. Bush has completed his final European tour of his presidency.  He met with European leaders at a summit in Slovenia, and then continued to Germany, Italy, France and Britain.  In London, Mr. Bush had tea with Queen Elizabeth and talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.  Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan figured prominently throughout the visit, as did his message that the European-American partnership is key. Mandy Clark reports from London on Mr. Bush's farewell European tour and the reaction to it.

US President George Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris
US President George Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris
The President's whirlwind trip took him  to the German countryside, to Rome, Paris and London.  It was partly a goodbye visit with old friends - like Sylvio Berlusconi, back as Italy's prime minister.  But it was also a chance to see newer allies, like  French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Although security was out in force, protesters were fewer in number than expected.

In Britain, though, some 2,000 demonstrators gathered to greet Mr. Bush on his arrival. 

The U.S. president is still deeply unpopular in Europe, mostly because of the Iraq war.

Political analyst, Vanessa Rossi at London's Chatham House research center, says Europe will probably not miss the U.S. president's political style. 

"I think, perhaps unfortunately for President Bush, he has laid himself open to more ridicule than he possibly could have imagined," Rossi said. “Particularly the way the American foreign policy abroad has been viewed. I think almost inevitably, many people, particularly in the continent of Europe, are perhaps relieved to see the end of this particular era and hopefully could look forward to changes in the style of American foreign policy in the future. "

President Bush drew tough headlines in some European newspapers. The papers highlighted the divisions between Europe and the United States.  Some made fun of the president for his comments at different stops.  Like in France, where he told President Sarkozy that his new wife, Carla Bruni, a former model, is smart and he understood why Mr.Sarkozy wanted to marry her.

Michael Cox, international relations analyst at the London School of Economics, has a more serious critique.  He says President Bush's message on the importance of the transatlantic partnership is well accepted in Europe.  But his policies are not. 

"The problem frankly is this president. His clear rejection of the Kyoto protocol which was so important to most Europeans and the European Union, the Iraq war that not only divided across the Atlantic but it divided Europeans inside the European continent, and the general image," Cox said.  "It is not a secret to suggest that this is the least popular president in Europe for a very long time."

At a joint news conference, Prime Minister Brown and President Bush presented a united front. They were tough on Iran's nuclear program and resolute on fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.  

The president leaves office in January.  He may be on this way out, but he said he is not done yet.  He said he can still achieve a lot in the time left. What that will be is not clear yet.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Britain, US Urge Zimbabwe to Accept Election Monitors
Bush in London for Talks With Brown
 
  Top Story
Obama Names Hillary Clinton Top US Diplomat

  More Stories
Suicide Bomber Strikes in Pakistan
Bombings Kill at Least 30 in Iraq
Suicide Bombing Kills 10 in Afghanistan
Mumbai Terror Attacks Heighten Tensions Between India, Pakistan  Audio Clip Available
Israel Turns Back Libyan Ship Carrying Aid Supplies to Gaza
Zimbabwe's Cholera Epidemic Hits Home  Audio Clip Available
International Climate Change Forum Opens in Poland
Thai Economy Suffers as Bangkok Airport Blockade Drags On
SE Asian Nations Watching US Plans for Auto Industry  Audio Clip Available
S. Korea Expresses 'Deep Regret' About North's Border Clampdown  Audio Clip Available
Controversial Movie on Ataturk Stokes Debate in Turkey  Audio Clip Available
Presidential Transition Process is Civil, Complex  Video clip available
Laura Bush Urges Continued US Support for Afghanistan  Audio Clip Available
UN Climate Chief Warns Against 'Cheap and Dirty' Power
Chavez Pushes for More Time in Office