I like Berlusconi, and I am glad he is on our side.
"This is Berlusconi's opportunity to cement his relationship as President Bush's second-best European friend"
I don't think GW ranks our allies (as I always say to my sister's kids, "you are one of my favorite nieces"). He has a whole lot of appreciation for the Poles, too.
But, then, this is an AP article. Note the last two paragraphs.
yitbos