Bush needs strategic partnership with Europe

[emad]

Financial Times
By Philip H. Gordon and Ronald D. Asmus

As President George W. Bush prepares to travel to Europe next week, many commentators are asking what his administration could bring to the table to help revitalise the transatlantic relationship. We believe the president should build on the good feeling generated by Condoleezza Rice, his secretary of state, during her tour of the continent last week and make it clear that America is comfortable with European integration. While in Europe, Mr Bush should launch a strategic partnership with the European Union to complement the Nato alliance.

There are three reasons why the president should do this. First, the kind of political, economic and material support the US most needs from its European allies is increasingly likely to come from the EU rather than Nato. Nato will remain America's most important military alliance but it is in this area that the US is least in need of help. On a wide range of other critical issues- Iraq, the Middle East, Russia, and co-ordinating humanitarian and disaster relief - it is the EU that can best provide what America needs.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/d3817cf8-7df5-11d9-ac22-00000e2511c8.html

[bryant69]

1. The problem is that Europe needs to be heard

It's not enough for us to, in essense, pat Europe patronizingly on the head and say "Oh my I'm sure you have some big grown-up ideas on what to do and I can't wait to hear them." I'm pretty sure Europe could figure that particular game out.

Instead we have to treat Europe like equals. Something I don't see the Bush administration doing. I mean it's possible, but doubtful.

Bryant
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