WP: Allies' Rancor Over Iraq Is 'Over,' Bush Contends

[kskiska]

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS, Ireland, June 26 -- President Bush asserted Saturday that the bitterness over Iraq among European allies was "over" and that NATO had a responsibility to do more to help the fledgling government that will assume limited authority in Baghdad on Wednesday.

"I think the bitter differences of the war are over," Bush said at a news conference after a three-hour summit between the United States and the 25-member European Union. "Some people didn't agree with the decision that I made, and others made as well. But we all agree that a democratic Iraq, a peaceful Iraq . . . is in all our benefit."

(snip)

Antiwar protesters forced a 30-minute delay in Bush's news conference with Ahern and Prodi -- a symbolic victory over a president who prizes punctuality. Bush had to wait while the White House press corps was driven in circles on double-decker buses because thousands of opponents of the Iraq war had blocked miles of nearby roads.

(snip)

One of the tenser moments in the summit came when the European leaders condemned abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. "I told them both I was sick with what happened inside that prison," Bush said. "So were the American citizens. The action of those troops did not reflect what we think. And it did harm. It did harm, because there are people in Ireland and elsewhere that said this isn't the America we know."

First lady Laura Bush canceled an interview with Carol Coleman, a reporter for Radio and Television Ireland who told the president during an interview on the eve of his visit that the world "is more dangerous" because of the war in Iraq. Bush repeatedly scolded Coleman for interrupting him. Coleman said on Irish radio that the interview was canceled because the White House is not used to aggressive questioning. White House press secretary Scott McClellan confirmed the interview was canceled but did not say why.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7684-2004Jun26.html

[Mari333]

1. oh for christs sake

he cant even say "Abu Ghraib" properly, let alone speak of what happened there. The imperial son is clueless...remember..he lives in a special world where he is not responsible for anything, the King Fratboy whose life is filled with baubles and goodies and kickbacks, and our children are at Abu Ghraib as we speak, for no reason whatsoever.
Impeach the smarmy little bastard.
Bring the Troops Home.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[young_at_heart]

2. "Who cares what you think?"

If I remember, didn't he once say this? Maybe he will have that thrown back at him with his "I think the bitter differences of the war are over" statement.

[REVOLT823]

3. I think Shrub is in for a surprise

The European leaders can't afford to summarily reject our requests, it makes them look crass and insensitive to the plight of the Iraqis. But I can guarantee you they are going to rake him over the coals for every little thing and punish him thoroughly. He pissed all over these guys before the war started, payback is a bitch.

"how long? not long! For what you reap is what you sow"
-Zach De La Rocha

[rocketdem]

4. No kidding.

"Coleman said on Irish radio that the interview was canceled because the White House is not used to aggressive questioning."

No kidding.

Fratboy is used to a press corp fully equipped with knee pads.

[maryallen]

8. The Bush administration filed a complaint ...

Against Coleman for being so tough on Dubya.

Coleman also revealed that questions for the interview she conducted had to be submitted THREE days prior to the event, per "Whitehouse policy."

Wonder if that "policy" only applies to foreign journalists, or if our "diligent" home-grown reporters have been less than honest with us when they denied submitting questions before Shrub's recent "news conferences?"

[0007]

5. The First Lady canceled her interview with Ms Coleman, LOL!!

Now that would have been an interesting interview if I may say so!

......and because junior didn't like being told that the world is a more dangerous place because of the war in Iraq, he wants to put down a real reporter as an ignorant saucy little twit.

[Sticky]

6. "Coleman said on Irish radio "?

Heh. Would love to read the transcript. She must have been pissed.

[Frances]

7. The reference to the cancelled interview

is in the last two paragraphs and on page A21.

If Kerry had done something like this, it would be front page news.

[Kenergy]

9. Does anyone have a link to the Coleman interview transcript please?