MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRIP TO EUROPE, MARCH

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000459

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA, WHA/CEN, AND EUR
FOR IIP/G/WHA AND IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRIP TO EUROPE, MARCH
1, 2005



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo" on
2/27, titled "George W. Bush and `Old Europe'." "U.S. President
George W. Bush, still euphoric after his second inauguration and
trying to focus the world's attention on the democratic front
that the January 30 elections pretended to give to the face of
occupied Iraq, made his anticipated trip to reconcile with `Old
Europe'."

"Besides visiting the European countries which openly opposed the
Iraq invasion, Bush also presented himself as an apostle of
freedom in some former Soviet countries, to the extent of
diplomatically scolding Vladimir Putin, who has seemed to go back
to the discourse and actions characteristic of the Cold War."

"At the end of his European tour, Bush can feel satisfied with
his accomplishments, because somehow he got the commitment of
some European countries to help the U.S. in Iraq, either directly
or indirectly, especially where Europe has its own particular
interests which often coincide with those of Washington.
However, everything seems to point out that Old Europe wants to
be treated as an equal partner, so that the neo-conservatives who
are now in control of the White House would have to restrain
their expansionist urges."

Palmer