Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM420
2008-06-10 09:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

Media Reaction - President Bush's Trip to Europe

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0420 1620934
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100934Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3502
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000420

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - President Bush's Trip to Europe


On June 10 the independent liberal Stockholm morning daily "Dagens
Nyheter" ran an editorial column by foreign affairs commentator Per
Ahlin headlined "Last European Trip":

"President George W. Bush is traveling to Europe for the last time
during his time in the White House, and most people seem to believe
that this trip will be a calm one. Major demonstrations will likely
not take place.

"Partly, this is due to the fact that transatlantic relations have
improved when the situation in Iraq is improving and recollection of
the diplomatic prelude to the war is fading.

"However, the principal factor is that President Bush is (soon)
leaving office. European leaders are now looking ahead, expecting a
U.S. President who is more willing to cooperate, who has a keen ear,
who will stand up for the Allies, and who does not regard the use of
force as a general solution....

"Anti-Americanism has increased strongly in Europe during President
Bush's time in office...and therefore it is not a er aring
prediction to state that each change in Washington will be an
improvement and that the next U.S. President will be much more
favorably received in Europe than George Bush ever was."
WOOD