Bush refuses to speak without guaranteed ovation

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: John Stevenson <john () comcen com au>
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:20:27 +1100
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Bush refuses to speak without guaranteed ovation

And Americans wonder why Europe holds George Bush in contempt:


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12713155&method=full&;
siteid=50143

BUSH: CLAP ME OR NO EU SPEECH

Mar 8 2003

By Paul Gilfeather


GEORGE Bush pulled out of a speech to the European Parliament when MEPs
wouldn't guarantee a standing ovation.

Senior White House officials said the President would only go to Strasbourg
to talk about Iraq if he had a stage-managed welcome.

A source close to negotiations said last night: "President Bush agreed to a
speech but insisted he get a standing ovation like at the State of the
Union address.

"His people also insisted there were no protests, or heckling.

"I believe it would be a crucial speech for Mr Bush to make in light of the
opposition here to war. But unless he only gets adulation and praise, then
it will never happen."

Mr Bush's every appearance in the US is stage-managed, with audiences full
of supporters.

It was hoped he would speak after he welcomed Warsaw pact nations to Nato
in Prague last November. But his refusal to speak to EU leaders
face-to-face is seen as a key factor in the split between the US-UK
coalition and Europe.

The source added: "Relations between the EU and the US are worsening fast -
this won't help."


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