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Bush Hopes to Reduce Differences With Europeans
US President George W. Bush said Tuesday he looks forward to reducing differences with European allies and Russia during his ongoing European tour, but he firmly defended his policy.
"There is much more uniting us than separating us. I refuse to accept any issue separates Europe from the U.S.," said Bush while trying to disregard as important differences between his country and Europe on the anti-missile shield and climate change issues.
On the anti-missile shield, Bush declared "I wish to present my arguments" in Wednesday's meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Thursday with the European Union (EU).
Bush, who met Tuesday with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, underscored the Spanish legacy and culture in the US, and "common heritage of Hispanity."
At the beginning of the tour, which will include his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bush issued a conciliatory message and assured "Russia is not our enemy."
Also, he reiterated his government's support "to a united, peaceful and prosperous Europe, which benefits the U.S.."
Nevertheless, such a conciliatory tone did not refrain Bush from insisting the anti-missile defense project be destined against "terrorism and blackmail" by some countries, saying the ABM Treaty "prevents free countries from defending."
"The Cold War days are over, and with them a mentality," Bush said.
Bush said his government shares the goal of reducing the emission of gases, but he insisted the Kyoto Protocol is " defective" for it does not include developing countries.
Also, he insisted in his government's energy plan has proposals to drive non-fossile fuel energy sources, like nuclear energy.
Bush and Aznar also talked about death penalty, which is one of the U.S. policies under more discussion in Europe.
The U.S. president underscored "the death penalty expresses the will of the U.S. people," and insisted differences on this issue be expected, but should not become an obstacle to cooperation between the two sides of the Atlantic.
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