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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tejek who wrote (178218)	11/19/2003 5:51:46 PM
From: tejek	Respond to of 1572849

Bush tries to pre-empt protesters By James Harding Published: November 19 2003 21:38 President George W. Bush on Wednesday set out to pre-empt the tens of thousands of British protesters gathering in London with a principled defence of the Iraq war and an historic appeal to America's "closest friend in the world" -the UK. In a speech at the Banqueting House in Whitehall Mr Bush punctured the anxiety and awkwardness felt in anticipation of his visit with a series of good humoured references to those who did not think he was welcome in the UK. He noted that the last celebrated American to visit London stayed in a glass box dangling over the Thames - a reference to David Blaine, the illusionist - and said: "A few might have been happy to provide similar arrangements for me . . . I thank Her Majesty the Queen for interceding." But the ideological thrust of Mr Bush's speech was an explanation of the core principles at the heart of his foreign policy. The US president referred to three pillars of US foreign policy: first a commitment to international organisations such as the United Nations and Nato; second, a belief that "when the last resort arrives" free nations need to use force to restrain aggression and evil; and that the "global expansion of democracy is the ultimate force in rolling back terrorism and tyranny". Making clear that the US would not abandon either Iraq or indeed Afghanistan, he said: "We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq and pay a bitter cost of casualties and liberate 25m people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins." Mr Bush's address, a speech that has been worked on by his most senior aides for several weeks as they seek to emulate Ronald Reagan's landmark address on the strength of freedom and failings of Soviet communism in 1982 in London, was also extensive in its celebration of the special relationship. Mr Bush said: "There remains a bit of England in every American. So much of our national character comes from you and we're glad for it." Drawing on a roll-call of great British politicians philosophers and public servants, Mr Bush said much of America's faith in liberty, its compassion and even its puritanism had its antecedence in the UK. "America is fortunate to call this country our closest friend in the world," he said. His references to other so called allies in Europe were not nearly as warm. Mr Bush admonished European leaders who continued to give credibility to the old Palestinian leadership, which he saw as an obstacle to peace. In a clear reference to Yassir Arafat, the Palestinian Authority chairman, Mr Bush said: "Leaders in Europe should withdraw all favour and support from any Palestinian ruler who failed his people and betrays their cause. Europe's leaders - and all leaders - should strongly oppose anti-Semitism, which poisons public debate over the future of the Middle East." Mr Bush did however reaffirm his support for European integration, saying that the US "welcomes the growing unity of Europe". He also emphasised that he was part of the postwar American tradition of 11 previous US presidents committed to international institutions and alliances. However, Mr Bush omitted to address the doubts over the imminence of the Iraq threat, failure to find weapons of mass destruction and concern at the inadequacy of postwar planning as well as the prospects of a descent into greater chaos in Iraq. A crowd gathered on Wednesday night outside Buckingham Palace and anti-war protesters prepared for what they said would be mass demonstrations in Trafalgar Square on Thursday . news.ft.com