U.S.-E.U. Summit: Agenda-N.Korea

[ConspiracyBuff]

VIENNA, Austria - President Bush began talks with European leaders on Wednesday amid rising tension across the globe about North Korea’s apparent plans to test a long-range ballistic missile believed capable of reaching U.S. territory.
The issue is shadowing this year’s U.S.-European Union summit, which began with a morning meeting between Bush and Heinz Fischer, the president of Austria, which holds the 25-nation EU’s rotating presidency.
The looming standoff with North Korea wasn’t apparent when the meeting began at the ornate Hofburg Palace. Bush joked that he and Fischer were like “thorns between two roses” as they posed for photographs between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik.

North Korea said Wednesday that it wants direct talks with the United States, which has insisted it will only speak to the North at six-nation nuclear talks. The White House said North Korea’s desire for direct talks was not new, and that the United States wanted to continue to use the venue of six-nation talks as the forum for communications.....

The formal agenda for the annual U.S.-EU summit centers on reducing the West’s addiction to imported oil and gas, fighting terror, protecting intellectual property rights and discussing an EU plan to channel critically needed cash to the Palestinians.
Bush planned to press his European counterparts to follow his lead and promise to eliminate government support for farmers, a sticking point in difficult talks for a global free-trade pact.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13451888/

[Lazarus]

VIENNA, Austria - President Bush began talks with European leaders on Wednesday amid rising tension across the globe about North Korea’s apparent plans to test a long-range ballistic missile believed capable of reaching U.S. territory....And this is supposed to produce what? is there an actual purpose for this visit other than PR posturing? What exactly does Bush think the EU will contribute to the situation?

[Rhino]

It's a U.S.-EU summit. That sounds like a purpose to me. NK is just one of many issues of mutual interest. We didn't go there just to discuss NK, but the EU certainly has a role there.

[Lubbock]

There are two big problems facing the WORLD! Iran and NK. The EU and the rest of the weenies in the "World Community" see Iran and NK as "America's Problem". The "World Community" believes itself to be immune from threat and from attack.

Ultimately, we know we will have to go it alone (except for Israel, who will help). The "World Community" will turn its collective back on us, and we will have to do the job alone.

I believe this trip is an effort at diplomacy, right before we have to take care of the problem if Iran and NK.

God help Iran if the United States ever takes the leash off Israel. Don't ever think that it isn't the US that's holding Israel back from taking Iran out.

Eventually, Israel will take care of the Iran problem. Eventually, Israel will defend herelf. I hope I live long enough to see it.

No amount of diplomacy will work on either front: Iran or NK. For no other reason than both "leaders" are dememted despots who believe themselves to be invincible.

Their belief is fostered by the anti-American "World Community".

God help all of us if an appeasement Democratic administraton follows GWB.

[Lazarus]

...The EU and the rest of the weenies in the "World Community" see Iran and NK as "America's Problem". The "World Community" believes itself to be immune from threat and from attack......Did Bush learn nothing from this game when we played it with the UN over Iraq? Not only did they not support us but his politcal enemies couldnt care less that he made such an extensive effort to gain international support... Its time for the US to make note of their REAL allies and do their talking in those circles only... When the EU realizes they are being left out of the discussion, maybe they will decide to come in with a new attitude...

[Wyatt_Junker]

China doesn't want on board. That says all you need to know. China likes its pretense of 'neutrality'. China's lazy position is easy to figure out. Its internationally parasitical. It doesn't have to have the expense of being a target while at the same time, it gets to watch as America scrambles with its deteriorating position. It must be fun having such a vantage point.

I wouldn't be surprised if China isn't directly involved with NK's obfuscation. You think China wants to reign in NK? Hardly. China also digs islamo-fascism. Its another economic drag on American hegemony. China can sit back, and eats its cake.

I say do the 2-for-1 Price Club version. Nuke NK and China.

[Lazarus]

You're right on the mark, Wyatt... China is grinnin like the cat that got into the cream... They sit back building their own economy and military while we run around over-extending ourselves, trying desperately to pander to every group in the world that hates us...

China has gone on a unilateral track for years and no one says a peep against them... If its good enough for China, its good enough for the US...

[Lubbock]

Did you read the entire post, Laz, or did you just key on part of one sentence?

You think The President dosen't know the rest of the world won't stand with us?

When have they ever, with the exception of Great Britan and Isreal?

The rest of the world is quite happy to sit back and let us shoulder the burden.

[Lazarus]

Actually I did read the whole post and I agree with all of it... But in my enthusiasm I quoted the wrong section from yours... My mistake... I will correct it now...:D

I still see this "Summit" as a waste of time... They dont want good relations with us... They want us to conform to their way of life... That's the reason why they formed the EU - to compete collectively with the US...

I'll start taking the EU seriously when they start carrying a significant burden of the dirty work - ie the military risk... Until then they are just an extension of France - all mouth and no action...

[ConspiracyBuff]

still see this "Summit" as a waste of time... They dont want good relations with us... They want us to conform to their way of life... That's the reason why they formed the EU - to compete collectively with the US...


The sad thing about that may be the fact that we just might be outwardly opposing but quietly letting this very thing happen. Bush's policy on the borders and the very quiet creation of the North American Union are signs of such an occurance. Only time will tell. We must not sit idly by and let such a thing happen and Democratic leadership most def will not change this course.