US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA459

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000459 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/PDA, WHA/CEN, AND EUR 
FOR IIP/G/WHA AND IIP/T/ES 
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, PREL, KPAO, PGOV, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S TRIP TO EUROPE, MARCH 
1, 2005 
 
 
1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo" on 
2/27, titled "George W. Bush and `Old Europe'."  "U.S. President 
George W. Bush, still euphoric after his second inauguration and 
trying to focus the world's attention on the democratic front 
that the January 30 elections pretended to give to the face of 
occupied Iraq, made his anticipated trip to reconcile with `Old 
Europe'." 
 
"Besides visiting the European countries which openly opposed the 
Iraq invasion, Bush also presented himself as an apostle of 
freedom in some former Soviet countries, to the extent of 
diplomatically scolding Vladimir Putin, who has seemed to go back 
to the discourse and actions characteristic of the Cold War." 
 
"At the end of his European tour, Bush can feel satisfied with 
his accomplishments, because somehow he got the commitment of 
some European countries to help the U.S. in Iraq, either directly 
or indirectly, especially where Europe has its own particular 
interests which often coincide with those of Washington. 
However, everything seems to point out that Old Europe wants to 
be treated as an equal partner, so that the neo-conservatives who 
are now in control of the White House would have to restrain 
their expansionist urges." 
 
Palmer