Bush’s keynote address seeks European support

DESPITE many of his lines failing to get the expected round of applause in Brussels yesterday, diplomats and commentators believed US President George W Bush hit many right notes in his keynote address.

At the start of his four-day trip to Europe he notably failed to mention EU plans to lift its arms embargo with China. The US has been particularly critical of this and has been trying to dissuade the EU from making this move.

Mr Bush is hoping for greater co-operation in Iraq and Afghanistan and today will attend meetings in NATO headquarters and with the EU.