Bush Gets First Warm European Reception in Slovakia

[Rose Siding]

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (Reuters) - President Bush won an enthusiastic welcome in Slovakia Thursday, the first warm public reception of his European tour, underscoring a divide within Europe between the west and newly democratic east.

The contrast could not have been greater between Germany, where Bush's visit drew 12,000 protesters Wednesday, and Slovakia, where a crowd of about 4,000 braved blowing snow to cheer and applaud during an open-air speech.

Bush then took his first plunge into a crowd on the last day of a five-day European tour and was swamped by enthusiastic Slovaks for several minutes as he made his way off the old town square.

"He's the head of the world's superpower. In my opinion, it is good for Slovakia to be friends with such a big and strong country," said Stefan Ilavsky, 45, a clerk who took a six-hour train trip from eastern Slovakia to be at the speech.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7727333&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

[forintegrity]

1. They had to scour all of Europe

to try to come up with these people. Notice it took them all week?

Wonder how much American taxpayers had to pay these people?

False image: priceless.

[kskiska]

2. Bratislava

That's where those "Wild and Crazy Guys" were from.

[kiraboo]

3. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm one quarter Slovak.

I'm pretty sure my Grampa wouldn't have supported Bush, though. Not if he'd understood the man.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Wow, these people must be pretty desperate.

[moondust]

6. Bushco or the Slovaks?

I can't decide who needs the other the most. :shrug:

[smirkymonkey]

9. Good point!

I originally meant the Slovaks, but Bushco is desperate for any genuine show of support. How much do you want to bet these people were paid (albeit, very little) to be there?

[Blaq Dem]

12. Yep, they are getting a lil' somethin'...

Read the transcript...

Slovakia has taken great risks for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. You have proved yourself a trusted friend and a reliable ally. That is why I recently announced a new solidarity initiative for nations like Slovakia that are standing with America in the war on terror. We will help you to improve your military forces so we can strengthen our ability to work together in the cause of freedom. We're working with your government to make it easier for Slovaks to travel to the United States of America. (Applause.) Hundreds of thousands of our citizens can trace their roots back to this country. Slovak immigrants helped build America and shape its character. We want to deepen the ties of friendship between our people, ties based on common values, a love of freedom, and shared belief in the dignity and matchless value of every human being. (Applause.)

Source: White House Press Office
Thursday February 24, 12:21 pm ET

Full transcript is here - Remarks by President Bush to the Citizens of Slovakia

[Ouabache]

10. Yep, they need money, and they will take it from his bloody hands

and do whatever he asks in return, I suppose.

[Vladimir]

5. No real surprise

I expect the welcome to be even stronger in Poland. Shame he won't be visiting Belorussia though...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Funny that this ad was at the top:

[MichaelHarris]

8. If I had to travel 6 hours to see bush

the S.O.B. better give me candy or something.

[Lisa]

11. wait until they find out that he thought he was in SLOVENIA ...

The only thing I know about Slovakia is what I learned first-hand from your foreign minister, who came to Texas.
-- To a Slovak journalist as quoted by Knight Ridder News Service, June 22, 1999. Bush's meeting was with Janez Drnovsek, the prime minister of Slovenia.

www.dubyaspeak.com

[manly]

13. Bush's warm reception in Slovakia

If they like him so much, let them keep him. For the once in a lifetime price of $19.95!!!!!
But WAIT! If they decide right now to keep him, they can, FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE, have Dick Cheney too! A $49.95 value, for only $19.95.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL!!! If they call their order in by mid-night tonight, we will throw in, at no extra charge, free, Condoleeza Rice!!! All in all, a $52.00 value, all for only $19.95!!!IMAGINE THAT!!!

[LisaL]

14. If they keep him, I would pay them 19.95$ personally.

[cire4]

15. * has no intention of easing Visa requirements...

"They also cheered loudly when Bush promised to work on easing visa requirements for visits to the United States, a top demand from Slovakia and other eastern states, whose citizens face more stringent visa rules than western European tourists."

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7727333&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

What a bunch of pandering bullshit. In the last four years, Bush has done his part to pretty much prevent any foreign tourism. I doubt he will even think about changing this...

[Demeter]

16. Not Warm Enough, I'll Warrant

Bring on the villagers with their pitchforks and torches--Frankenstein is back in town!

[ECH1969]

17. They are used to authoritarian rulers

in Eastern Europe, in the West they got rid of them decades ago.

[applegrove]

18. Dang - she should have given that 'Bush is not dangerous' speech earlier

I hate when that happens. Her words cleared the whole thing up!
:shrug:

[leftchick]

19. Ooopsies! They left out the GO AWAY!!!! Protestors! ROFL!

Police stand guard between protesters at Hviezdoslavovo Square in Bratislava, where US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) spoke to Slovak citizens. Bush's European trip may have taken the edge off of transatlantic tensions, but relations are still dogged by lingering post-Iraq (news - web sites) resentments.(AFP/Luke Frazza)