Salon: "America intends to be world's policeman, expects Europe's help"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2005/02/23/charm/index.html

Feb. 23, 2005 | Rome -- The words may have been more conciliatory, but many Europeans sensed the swagger was still there. President Bush's outreach efforts to European leaders this week appear to have gone a way toward establishing an official thaw, but citizens around the continent remain deeply resistant to giving in to any charm offensive from a man they view as dangerous and irresponsible.

Above all, Europeans balk at what they see as the underlying message coming through all the sweet talk from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the president: America intends to be the world's policeman and expects Europe's help in toppling tyranny around the globe. "We Don't Need No Cowboy," read one sign at a protest in Mainz, Germany, where Bush warmly shook hands Wednesday with one of the fiercest critics of the Iraq war, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

A tete-a-tete in Brussels earlier in the week appeared to have convinced French President Jacques Chirac -- the man who came to symbolize world opposition to the war -- that Bush is now ready for "a true partnership."

But while leaders have pragmatic interests -- ranging from trade to security issues -- that may make friendly ties a wise idea, many civilians said they were cynical about Washington's intentions. "At the moment, the United States needs Europe to resolve the conflicts in the Middle East, notably in Iraq. Europe is an ally to Bush, which he is simply using," said Emmanuel Rozo, 29, a communications worker in Paris.