BUSH CHARMING

WE AND THE WORLD

George W. Bush, speaking at the Noble Assembly in Brussels, envied one of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, who was greeted in Europe two centuries ago as the best friend of all mankind. Bush himself before leaving America...

George W. Bush, speaking at the Noble Assembly in Brussels, envied one of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, who was greeted in Europe two centuries ago as the best friend of all mankind. Before leaving America, Condoleezza Rice advised Bush himself to be realistic and not count on such a reception.

He laughed like a child when, at a press conference at NATO, a Dutch colleague sitting next to me called his European tour a “charm operation”: “The first time I was called charming!” For the general European public, he remained not the most sympathetic character. For the imperial behavior, the cavalry charge... America is very different from Europe in many ways.

But, having spent three nights and two days in Brussels, having convened two summits (in NATO and the EU), Bush managed, if not to bury, then to greatly smooth out differences with European allies, to push the Iraqi syndrome into the past. Thanks to the efforts of both parties.

The key words were common values: democracy, rule of law, freedom of the press. They unite the US with Europe so much that even serious disagreements on particulars fade into the background. They also made Viktor Yushchenko the hero of the day. Bush exclaimed pathetically that "there was a man sitting next to him who had just made a revolution." Based again on Western values.

As expected, the reconciliation between America and Europe after the Iraq spat hardened their tone towards Russia. From Brussels, Bush fired the first salvo of artillery preparation for his meeting with Putin today. with the same keywords.

The West, he said, must constantly remind Russia that democracy is a free press, real opposition, separation of powers and the rule of law. The US, along with all European countries, should place democratic reforms at the center of the dialogue with Russia.

A backfire came from Moscow: Putin's interview about the attempts of countries with "so-called developed democracies" to manipulate Russia into an amorphous entity, about Emperor Bokassa who ate political opponents. After that, at a press conference following Bush's meeting with EU leaders, two of the four questions asked were about Russia.

He, feeling the already strong European rear, continued the offensive. He said that he considers Russia to be a European country, and European countries (by definition) share common values ​​with America. "Constructive relations with Russia" and "good personal relations" with Putin allow him to be reminded of this. He explained his persistence by saying that he "likes countries with a free press, an independent free press." And in Russia, "the government, how would it be better to put it, does not issue a patent to certain members of the press."

He heard "some concern" about the processes in Russia at the negotiating table and from European colleagues. In particular, from the Baltic countries. And he intends to convey this signal to Putin. Bush "is confident that this can be done in a polite manner" because "it is important to maintain a constructive relationship with Russia." But he will definitely talk about democratic values ​​with Putin.

Dinner at the European Commission restaurant on the 13th floor of the Berlaymont building served lobster, foie gras, Irish lamb saddle and fig ice cream dessert, accompanied by a 2002 Chassagne Montrachet Burgundy, Pauillac and Bataille burgundy, and Bollenge champagne. The teetotaler Bush did not drink wine, but he did not pour it out either, as was customary in America two years ago on the wave of anti-French patriotism.