Rice: Mere change of style?

[emad]

By Paul Reynolds
World affairs correspondent, BBC News website


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has certainly brought a different style to US diplomacy.

Condoleezza Rice has sought to soothe tensions with Europe
On her visit to Europe and the Middle East, she has softened the hard edges and has probably made it easier for President Bush when he visits Europe later this month.

But has there been a change of substance? Probably less than appears.

Take the Middle East. Her visit has signalled a re-engagement by the Bush administration in the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4252011.stm

I THOUGHT TV footage of her simpering and beaming at "World Leaders" only made her goddawful hairdo seem even more ridiculous...

[libbygurl]

1. NPR ran a "newsreport" on her "successful" appearance in Paris....

....and I almost barfed up my lunch listening to the fawning comments of the fella from Le Figaro. NPR has so disgusted me so many times now that I haven't renewed my membership--first time in 15 years!

[emad]

2. For tough-talking Rice, charisma is a diplomatic tool: Times

By Bronwen Maddox

IF THIS is the hand of US friendship, it is offered with an uncomfortably tough grip.

One day after she called for new warmth between the US and Europe, Condoleezza Rice systematically called attention to all the rows that divide the US and Europe.

Her emollient tone and constant smile implied that all problems could be solved, but her words showed that the rifts are serious and that the US is not much inclined to give way.

She packaged her message with charm, certainly, or at least glamour. On her eight-day tour, she has looked fabulous (apart from a bulky brown pin-striped trouser suit in Ramallah on Monday).

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1477608,00.html