Europeans Ask: Is Bush a Wolf in a Granny's Suit?

US President George W. Bush's goodwill spin through Europe garners all the news with commentators searching behind the platitudes for girth. How much of what this president -- known for his knack for hyperbole -- says will translate into deeds? And what of the looming crises in Iran, Iraq and over the EU's desire to lift its Chinese weapons embargo?

 

AFP Bush speaks in Brussels. How much is just empty verbiage?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe famously said, "When ideas fail, words come in very handy." The iconic, albeit very dead German writer would have had a field day in Brussels on Monday, where US President George W. Bush delivered his first speech abroad since his second term began. The speech, billed as a chance to address Europe and start mending ties broken over the Iraq war and other policy conflicts took place in an 18th century bourgeois salon in front of a hand-picked crowd of 300-pro Bush supporters. It was laced with grand verbiage, but not with new ideas. By far, the president's favorite word of the night was "freedom," although "liberty" also got its fair play. Bush stood before the crowd and acted almost blissfully ignorant of the depth of Europe's frustration with him and his first administration. At one point, he went so far as to say that "no power on Earth will ever divide" Europe and America.

Germany's major newspapers spent the day trying to hash out just what all the friendly rhetoric will mean for a Europe anxious for pats from America, but also proud of its fledgling stance against the world's only superpower. The conservative daily Die Welt writes, "Bush's speech could not have been warmer, friendlier or more cooperative." The Europeans, for their part, listened attentively, particularly the French, who are especially relieved at the easing of tension, writes the paper. Still, doubts and strong differences remain, and those differences could turn explosive. "Despite the smiles, both sides perceive the global threat differently. When push comes to shove, they are not prepared to move towards each other. In addition, Berlin is losing interest in the trans-Atlantic structure. At any time, this strong anti-Americanism that exists all over, but predominantly in Germany, could be used for political ends. Already, the anti-American furor is alarming. What would happen if the conflict with Iran becomes a crisis?"

The conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung applauds Bush's nod to Europe, the European Union and his recognition that America actually does need partners in the world. During Bush's first term, his foreign policy message was more that of a desperado, willing to take on the world by himself, if need be. "Bush's praise for Europe, if it was meant seriously, was as welcome as it was overdue," says the paper. But if Europe is serious about accepting the praise, the nations cannot "comfortably sit back and watch. Whoever wants to rectify the situation with America, cannot relax and do nothing -- that is the price of partnership." The true question is not if everyone can sit in a room together for speeches, but rather "is the US really prepared to involve its partner in the drawing up of the Atlantic agenda" and is Europe ready to take US interests seriously?

The center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung offers a highly skeptical analysis, comparing the old bellicose Bush team, with its newer, softer incarnation. Indeed, in a few weeks' time, Europeans have been presented with a smiling, charm oozing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a much more demure and even complimentary US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The paper begins its main editorial with the line, "After the new Donald Rumsfeld, now the new George W. Bush has arrived in the Old World." It also outlines the main challenges ahead -- Iran, the Middle East, China and wonders aloud if Bush has really changed his spots. "Will the words also be followed by deeds? Is Bush just improving the general atmosphere or will there really be a European component in trans-Atlantic decisions? And, on the other side, do the Europeans have common goals, a policy even, or are they just moved by popular anti-Bushism or anti-Americanism?" Iran, says the paper, and how both sides deal with rogue mullahs with nuclear aspirations, "will be the test."

The financial daily Handelsblatt is equally suspect of the seeming love fest. "The more the officials bluster about a new beginning for the trans-Atlantic relationship, the less one wants to believe it." Any friendship cemented by the sort of "eternal" bond cited by Bush, "must not be doing too well," the paper says. "The trans-Atlantic partnership would be better off if it did not swear it holds common values, but rather put forth a common strategy. But a 'grand design in terms of foreign and security policy is as far away today as it was a year ago."

By far, the testiest commentary of the day comes from the Berliner Zeitung, which opts for the headline, "The Emperor Makes a Visit." Essentially, the paper says: Beware. Bush may look like darling old grandma on the outside, but underneath, there's a wolf lurking. "The president's friendly tone doesn't change the fact that this is the same warlord with imperial claims as before," writes the paper. "This is a man who in his re-election sees vindication and acceptance for his belief that violence is often needed to bring freedom and democracy to the world. It is also a man who in addition to having a mandate from voters sees himself as doing God's work." The paper attacks all the security measures needed to make Bush's trip possible -- the entire city of Mainz will virtually stop functioning during the hours Bush is there. "The fact that whole cities and regions have to be turned upside down for him does not exactly fit in with the Message of the Redeemor," he wants to bring, says the paper. "But that is the way emperors travel." The paper doesn't see the new Bush as a true reflection of change, but just proof of America's ability to adapt itself to suit its own needs. "At the moment, the EU seems useful to Bush," it writes. "The world power has determined that even its mighty military is not enough to turn an underdeveloped country like Iraq into the 'youngest democracy in the world.'"