Bush in Europe tries to save the West from collapse

US President George bush tries to save the West from the imminent crisis that may result from the growth of prices on energy sources. With this goal in mind, Bush arrived in the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, to discuss the problems on an international level.

Photo: Bush in Europe tries to save the West from collapse

George Bush, who can already be referred to as the outgoing US president, arrived with a farewell visit to Europe for the annual US-EU summit in Slovenia, Ljubljana. Afterwards, Bush will tour several other European countries. It is hard to believe that Mr. Bush will no longer make the whole world laugh with his primitive comments and mix Austria with Australia for everyone’s pleasure.

However, Bush’s forthcoming resignation is not the most important aspect, in spite of the fact that this politician unleashed two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It goes without saying that the incumbent US president is just a lame duck. His influence and image in the States continues to decline. The world is waiting for Bush’s political will for the future. No matter whether it is Russophobe John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama to take office after November 2008 elections, the political directions of the White House are not likely to change much because of it.

Democrats decided to add more fuel to the fire of Bush’s resignation and ventured to impeach the president. It is an open secret that George Bush’s IQ is not higher than that of a gorilla. However, Democrats liken themselves to Bush with an intention to knock Bush down shortly before he retires himself.

The USA has quite a list of international problems to solve. The key issues include Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, the energy security and relations with Russia.

As for the Afghan problem, NATO members differ in their approaches to the issue. Canada, for example, has already voiced an intention to withdraw its contingent from Afghanistan in the event France and Germany do not provide their assistance. If Canada decides to withdraw from Afghanistan, other countries will follow its example. The US troops may find themselves alone in the war-torn country.

Bush needs to preserve the NATO coalition in Afghanistan, although it is obviously a hard goal to achieve. The USA administration will have to convince Germany and France to offer more of their servicemen in sacrifice in the name of the annoying war against terrorism. Even if French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed to send 700 military men to Afghan hell, they will not be able to change the unfortunate situation of the Western troops in their struggle against Afghan guerrillas.

Iran has become yet another source of headache for the USA recently. The country does not intend to close its nuclear program, openly spits in the face of the West and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. Even if Teheran acts defiantly, there is no common approach to this nation in the international community. It seems that there is only England and France that are ready to support the USA in its endeavors.

As for relations with Russia, the USA and the European Union are concerned with Russia’s habit of using energy resources as means of political and economic pressure against its neighboring states. This problem continues to become more and more serious as prices on energy resources continue to climb higher and as Europe becomes more dependent on the Russia oil and especially natural gas.

Russia also has many reasons to reproach the West. They include the expansion of NATO, the deployment of the US missile defense system in Europe, the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. All these claims split the Western unity. Many NATO members having their own national problems do not hurry to recognize Kosovo. NATO’s key players in Europe – Germany and France – stand up against USA’s aspiration to include Georgia and Ukraine in the alliance.

Thus, the US president has a very hard nut to crack before he steps down. He needs to unite European countries in their attitude towards Russia. Bush will have personal meetings with the leaders of Europe’s major countries – Britain, Germany, Italy and France.

It is worthy of note that it was the EU summit in Ljubljana, which laid the foundation to the improvement of US-Russian relations in 2001.

Sergei Balmasov
Pravda.ru

AP photo

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov