Posted on 12/02/2004 6:14:22 AM PST by OESY
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Dec. 1 - President Bush said Wednesday that a "new term in office is an important opportunity to reach out to our friends," but he remained uncompromising about the American-led invasion of Iraq and his insistence that the United Nations be focused on "collective security, not endless debate."
In a speech at Pier 21, the entry point in this blustery Nova Scotia port for nearly one million immigrants to Canada in the 20th century, Mr. Bush made clear that diplomacy would be a theme of his second four years. But he described a diplomacy that appeared to be based largely on his terms, with a heavy emphasis on "the nightmare world of danger" that will befall future generations if the United States eases up in its struggle against terrorism.
"My country is determined to work as far as possible within the framework of international organizations, and we're hoping that other nations will work with us to make those institutions more relevant and more effective in meeting the unique threats of our time," he said in Heritage Hall, a part of a museum at the pier that has been restored much as Ellis Island has been in New York.
The president acknowledged that "the tasks of the 21st century" - fighting nuclear proliferation, AIDS, poverty and hunger - "cannot be accomplished by a single nation alone." But he reprised his warnings to the United Nations on the eve of the Iraq war that it risked irrelevance if it did not follow through on its threats.
"America always prefers to work with allies at our side," he said, adding that he was grateful that Canada was working with the United States to confront Iran and North Korea about their nuclear programs. But, he said, "the success of multilateralism is measured not merely by following a process, but by achieving results."
The president's speech, his only public address on an overnight trip to Canada, was officially intended to thank the Canadians of the maritime provinces and other parts of the country who took in 33,000 Americans when their flights were diverted after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But it also served as a road map of his priorities in his second term, and notably included a strong emphasis on pushing for democracy and peace in the Middle East.
"Achieving peace in the Holy Land is not just a matter of pressuring one side or the other on the shape of a border or the site of a settlement," Mr. Bush said, using new phrasing to describe a policy he adopted in his first term. "This approach has been tried before, without success.
"As we negotiate the details of peace, we must look to the heart of the matter, which is the need for a Palestinian democracy. The Palestinian people deserve a peaceful government that truly serves their interests, and the Israeli people need a true partner in peace."
He reiterated that his goal was "two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."
Canadians, who overwhelmingly opposed the war in Iraq, have repeatedly called Mr. Bush's visit here a "charm offensive," a description that appeared to fit parts of his remarks. Even though Canada and the United States have been in a contentious trade dispute over the ban on Canadian beef to America, Mr. Bush made a point of saying he had dined on the local specialty at an official banquet given by Prime Minister Paul Martin across the Ottawa River in Quebec on Tuesday night.
"I proudly ate some Alberta beef last night, and - I'm still standing," Mr. Bush said, to laughter and applause. The United States has banned beef imports from Canada since 2003, when a calf in Alberta was found to have mad cow disease.
He cast Canada's opposition to the war in Iraq in the mildest of terms - "sometimes even the closest of friends disagree" - and admitted that it was sometimes hard to have the United States as a neighbor.
"I realize, and many Americans realize, that it's not always easy to sleep next to the elephant," Mr. Bush said, then cited a quotation from a member of the Canadian Parliament in the 1960's: "The United States is our friend, whether we like it or not."
The New York Slimes likes using the word 'but' a lot, especially after making a half-decent remark about Dubya.
They just can't bring themselves to drop the bias, can they?
attn: Bush
re: talking to Canadians
.
It's a waste of time,
and annoys the Canadians
Not true. President Bush's visit to Ottawa was the singlemost important event in this Countries political history in the past 50 years. He was gracious, humourious,straight forward and very strong. Our politicians got a real lesson in leadership.
For some maybe, but not all.
English translation: 1. "The squeeky wheel always gets the grease." 2. "Islam is the Religion of Peace." 3. "Kill enough people and you will earn my respect."
ping to 8
Giving these Arabs yet another state basically says that terrorism works. It doesn't make sense for the free world that is fighting terrorism to create a terrorist state.
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