An evening in Paris

TWO top US officials are in Europe to drum up support for US operations in Iraq and democracy in the Arab world. While Rumsfeld is in Nice, in Brussels, it is Rice. The US has recognised the importance of Europe in the scheme of things. If Europe backs them, it could be much easier to influence events in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Published: Thu 10 Feb 2005, 9:31 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 6:42 PM

Europe had for long been opposed to unilateral US intervention in international politics. It saw the US adventures as anti-diplomacy. Europe, after the two world wars, has been increasingly disinclined to meddle in the affairs of other countries. But the US probably sees the world as a laboratory to test its ideals, since it believes those goals to be universal. Its impatience with lengthy negotiations which lead nowhere has prompted it to don the role of a global policeman.

With the successful conduct of Iraq elections, the US sees Europe as willing to mend the bend in the trans-Atlantic relationship. After ties with France had dipped to a historic low in the first Bush term, Washington though it apt to to humour the French by sending two of its high-profile officials in close succession. In Paris on Tuesday, Rice used her first key foreign policy speech to call for a new chapter for Nato, while a day later in Nice, Rumsfeld met fellow defence ministers to persuade doubtful Nato members to contribute troops to train Iraqi officers for the armed forces. These moves are aimed at bringing Europe in the loop and end the adversarial relationship that characterised the first Bush term. American moves for reforms in the Arab world need a stronger backing and with Europe’s help, the task could get much easier. For Europe too, confrontation with US is not a happy proposition. So, it’s smooth sailing for now across the Atlantic.

Published: Thu 10 Feb 2005, 9:31 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 6:42 PM