Posted on 06/21/2006 9:34:50 PM PDT by Ooh-Ah
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- President Bush won solid European support Wednesday for his handling of escalating nuclear crises with North Korea and Iran but was challenged over the Iraq war, the U.S. prison camp in Cuba and rising anti-American sentiment.
"That's absurd," Bush snapped at a news conference in response to an assertion that the United States was regarded as the biggest threat to global security. "We'll defend ourselves, but at the same time we're actively working with our partners to spread peace and democracy.
Unbidden, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel rose with an impassioned defense that seemed to surprise the president.
"I think it's grotesque to say that America is a threat to the peace in the world compared with North Korea, Iran, a lot of countries," Schuessel said. Europe would not enjoy peace and prosperity if not for U.S. help after World War II, he said.
"We should be fair from the other side of the Atlantic," Schuessel said. "We should understand what September 11th meant to the American people."
But the chancellor also prodded Bush.
"We can only have a victory in the fight against terror if we don't undermine our common values," Schuessel said. "It can never be a victory, a credible victory over terrorists if we give up our values: democracy, rule of law, individual rights."
Bush came here for the annual summit of the United States and the 25-nation European Union at a time when favorable opinions of the U.S. have fallen across Europe.
About 1,200 students chanting "Bush Go Home!" marched through Vienna to a church square not far from Hofburg Palace where the leaders met. They were led by Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq and energized the anti-war movement a year ago with a monthlong protest outside Bush's Texas ranch.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
Unbidden, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel rose with an impassioned defense that seemed to surprise the president.
"I think it's grotesque to say that America is a threat to the peace in the world compared with North Korea, Iran, a lot of countries," Schuessel said. Europe would not enjoy peace and prosperity if not for U.S. help after World War II, he said.
I saw it on PBS - the Newshour showed quite a bit of the Austrian Chancellor's comments.
I wasn't all the surprised by it, any thinking person would have to make the same observation about the comparisons between the United States and North Korea or Iran that the Austrian leader made.
The NYT? That's the paper whose motto is, "all the news that's print to fit (our agenda)?"
Maybe the Austrians are still thankful for the USA's help in orchestrating the withdrawal of the Red Army in 1955.
Is that all they could muster? Only 1200 students who have nothing else to do but act like they know it all? Pretty pathetic.
If not for us Americans, of course, there would be a much different sort of folk - or should I say "Volk" - still marching through Vienna, as the Austrian Chancellor suggested.
(About 1,200 students chanting "Bush Go Home!")
Only 1,200 students? That's it? In Europe? I remember when Europeans protested Reagan by the hundreds of thousands during the Pershing missile episode. How far down has the Left fallen!
Summer vac time too !
Half of them were probably Muzzies, the only group in Europe that's actually multiplying (Red Hot Muzzy Love?), and always succeptible to rabble-rousing.
I saw it multiple places, too, and his remarks were actually much stronger than the excerpt quoted here. He spoke of being born at war's end and how the United States freed, then rebuilt, Europe. He was passionate and eloquent in defending and commending the U.S.
Don't discount the contributions of the Red Army to the eradication of fascism. Still, there are many Austrians (some vocal, some not) who would very much want the Volk you referred to marching through the city. I was living there during Hitler's birthday, and I was quite shocked by the goings-on. Riot police everywhere, separating hordes of Neo-Nazis and Communists. Someone I was with said, "Wouldn't it be awesome if the Nazis and Communists just had this huge fight?" I replied, "that already happened. It was called World War II."
No, but I saw it on FOX....and got a lump in my throat.
Mainly because it was raw, kind and unexpected.
The quotation really doesn't do his sincere delivery justice. It's one of those rare times you have to actually see and hear someone, rather then read what was said afterward to get the full picture.
I will be calling the embassy in the morning with a thank you.
Austria
3524 International Court, NW, Washington DC 20008-3035
Telephone: (202) 895-6700
Fax: (202) 895-6750
That's really it isn't it? Cognition... You apparently take for granted that others should think like you when it’s clear many vocal anti-American activists do not. We teach direct comparison in our schools and foster it elsewhere therefore it is correct to directly compare the US to Iran and North Korea. They’re equal aren’t they? If you don’t believe in equality you must be wrong… While you and I see what this Australian did as clear as day, with few exceptions, reward for such vision just doesn’t exist today. Let the reward for knowing the truths of history come from my commentary but subtract it for missing the truths of today. His was truly uncommon sense and that’s why our President was caught unaware.
correction: While you and I see what this Austrian did as clear as day,
Saw it on C-SPAN - I was also surprised.
Thanks for that number Doug, it really should have its own thread.
It is rare to hear a statesman anymore.
Wolfgang Schussel: They're called balls. I know they're an unfamiliar part of the anatomy to you.
I think that, coupled with Europes apparent genetic inability to fight when it's necessary, demonstrates a definite lack of any kind of libido among Europeans. So, given their obvious lack of ability to "perform" when needed, both in the sack and out, is it a surprise they don't have what it takes to fight? Doesn't surprise me. Europe has struck me as nothing but a bunch of d******s wonders, who only have their freedom because of American blood, since I first really got interrested in history and current events 20 years ago. Europe can burn for all I care. They deserve it.
How strong is the support though? Europeans are known to waffle in their support.
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