Upbeat Bush moves to embrace Europe
After a day of meetings with EU leaders and NATO, the US President appeared to rule out a US attack on Iran and publicly gave his support to the EU-led negotiations with the Iranians on their nuclear programme.
A number of measures to cement a new phase in the relationship are being discussed, including a celebration of the 10th anniversary this year of the EU/US Agenda and its possible updating or upgrading.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described the meeting as 100% positive with President Bush being aware of the European position and committed to dialogue.
However, at his news conference following the meeting, Mr Bush would not commit himself to taking into account the European position on international affairs in future.
And while he ruled out a US attack on Iran, describing it as a ridiculous notion, he added: "Having said that, all options are on the table."
He expressed confidence in the negotiations by Germany, France and Britain, which are offering technological, financial and political support in return for the scrapping of its uranium enrichment programme.
This is the furthest yet he has gone in expressing support for the EU3 in a situation where the US is required to play the role of the tough cop. But Iran insists it needs guarantees it will not be attacked by the US.
EU diplomats were also taking heart from the fact that the US has not mentioned any deadlines for the negotiations to reach a conclusion before they step in.
Mr Bush was very positive too on the Middle East, expressing great support for the new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and saying the US would work with the Europeans on the peace process.
The issue of the China arms embargo was largely sidestepped as the EU has agreed to consult the US about its main concern the hi-tech transfer to China of what are often 'dual use' items.
France, which has been to the forefront of lifting the embargo, was adamant it will go. President Jacques Chirac, who had dinner with Mr Bush on Monday, said: "The embargo cannot be justified anymore", adding that US allies Australia lifted theirs 10 years ago while Canada never imposed one.
The two blocs were at one on Russia, which was the topic raised at the meeting by Mr Ahern, who acknowledged economic co-operation was growing.
He said that on the political front, Russia was increasingly confrontational with a disturbing trend of weakening respect for democratic standards and fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly in relation to media freedom.
At his press conference Mr Bush made the same point, singling out the need for media freedom and saying he would be bringing this message to Russian President Vladimir Putin at their meeting in Bratislava tomorrow.
Mr Bush's hopes for greater co-operation from the Europeans in Iraq were partly met with promises of more help in training security forces from both NATO and the EU.
However, while the US initially hoped for 3,000 instructors to train Iraqi security forces, NATO was able to offer just 159 to turn out 1,000 trained personnel a year, while the EU said it would be able to train about 800 a year.
The EU is engaged in training judiciary, penal and law enforcement personnel and has promised to step up its programmes in this area. It also plans to open a small liaison office in Baghdad.
But even Ukraine, which the US insisted on having at a meeting in NATO despite being just Partners for Peace, like Ireland, has said it will withdraw its 1,600 combat troops. Mr Bush heaped praise on Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko, who came to power with US and European backing.
Asked if he was not disappointed at the poor response to the US appeal for more personnel in Iraq, Mr Bush elevated the position of NATO more than he tended to in the past and said what was important was that NATO was involved.
The EU is also floating the idea of having an international conference on Iraq, when the Iraqi government decide it want it, which would, most likely, be held in Brussels. Its aim would be to garner support for the interim government's democracy building efforts.
Mr Bush referred many times to Iraq as being the world's newest democracy.
