Bush sets out his vision of a unified Europe

President George Bush crossed Europe’s old Iron Curtain divide today and offered his vision of a new, more unified continent where nations, including Russia, cooperate to ‘‘build the house of freedom.’’

He expressed hope for a ‘‘truly great’’ Russia where national greatness is measured by ‘‘the strength of its democracy, the good treatment of its minorities and the achievements of its people.’’

‘‘Nato, even as it grows, is no enemy of Russia,’’ Bush said. ‘‘Poland is no enemy of Russia. America is no enemy of Russia.’’

The president addressed foreign policy notables at the Warsaw University Library, a city landmark with a facade of giant copper plates with fragments of great scholarly writings. Aides had billed the speech as a major policy address, but Bush did not offer specific new policies or proposals.

‘‘When Europe and America are divided, history tends to tragedy,’’ Bush said. ‘‘When Europe and America are partners, no trouble or tyranny can stand against us.’’

Bush cited the decade of transition to democracies throughout the formerly communist Eastern and Central Europe, and said he would make the case starting tomorrow during his meeting in Slovenia with Russian President Vladimir Putin - that it is time to move past Cold War doctrine to reach for the fruits of democracy.

‘‘The Iron Curtain is no more,’’ Bush said. ‘‘Now we plan and build the house of freedom, whose doors are open to all of Europe’s peoples and whose windows look out to global challenges beyond.’’

Outside the library, about 200 demonstrators shouted at Bush when he arrived. Groups of young people held banners, one of which read: ‘‘Bush to outer space; Missiles to dust bin.’’

The president praised Poland for its successful political and economic transition and said it should be an example for others.

‘‘I have come to the centre of Europe to speak of the future of Europe,’’ he said. Some still call this ’the East,’ but Warsaw is closer to Ireland than it is to the Urals,’’ he said, referring to the mountain range east of Moscow. ‘‘It is time to put talk of East and West behind us.’’

Bush said he believes in Nato membership for ‘‘all of Europe’s democracies that seek it and are ready to share the responsibilities that Nato brings.’’ He mentioned no specific candidate countries.

Much of Bush’s speech, his only public address during his week in Europe, was directed at Russia.

‘‘We have a stake in Russia’s success, and we look for the day when Russia is fully reformed,’’ he said. The United States and Europe ‘‘can and should build partnerships with Russia and with all the countries that have emerged from the wreckage of the former Soviet Union.’’

Bush said he envisions Russia as a partner and ally, and said the former Soviet empire ‘‘should not fear the expansion of freedom-loving people to her borders.’’

He said he would seek to assure the Russian president that he wants to help elevate Russia’s role ‘‘in the world and Europe’’ while raising concerns about possible Russian shipments of weapons material to Iran.