[PianoMan]

keep in mind that this is the New York Times, desperately trying to make trouble

Boy is that the truth. How many times in this administration has the NY Times boldly asserted something that was based on only a grain of truth, causing the administration or officials in question to publicly contradict them.

Howell Raines plays dirty, it's probably best to wait and see what the administration actually does rather than listen to the Times.

[The Westerner]

"Mr. Powell kept to a nearly frantic pace here, holding more than 20 one-on-one meetings and broadcast interviews, all intended to demonstrate that the United States still cared about European leaders' opinions."

Don't mean to be disagreeable, but this quote describes Mr. Powell's character perfectly. There is no reason to doubt it isn't true.