Tactical Bush puts his war with Annan on hold ... for now

[CHIMO]

The Bush administration has distanced itself for the time being from congressional demands for the resignation of the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan.
But acute US-UN tensions persist over oil-for-food corruption investigations, UN handling of Iran's nuclear programmes, and Iraq's US-sponsored elections next month.

US resentment over what officials regard as lack of UN support for the Iraq polls is barely contained. The issue topped the agenda in talks yesterday between Mr Annan, the US secretary of state Colin Powell and his designated successor, Condoleezza Rice.

If Mr Annan is safe for now, the main reason may be Mr Bush's purported desire to strengthen his second-term multilateralist credentials. He is heading for Europe in February where support for the UN is strong. He aims to mend fences, particularly in Germany, and rally Nato support in Iraq.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1375794,00.html

[CatholicEdHead]

1. It was a test for the base

The base always eats this up. They also realized that most Americans see no problem with the UN, or just don't care. It is dropped for now, but will be back.

[Elidor]

2. Bush is congenitally incapable of mending fences

The only talent he has is pissing people off.