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Strong Europe essential for world peace, declares Bush (Roland Watson, Anthony Browne and Rory Watson, 2/21/05, Times of London)

After a courtesy call to the King and Queen this morning, Mr Bush will open the business of his five-day visit with a speech to invited guests at the ornate grandeur of the Concert Noble.

He will draw on Europe and America’s common history and shared values as he tries to enlist help for his second-term overseas priorities, which immediately include preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, winning the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and securing an Israeli-Palestinian peace.

“Together American and Europe can once again set history on a hopeful course — away from poverty and despair and toward development and the dignity of self-rule, away from resentment and violence and toward justice and the peaceful settlement of differences.”

Mr Bush will call for help “to secure peace between Israel and Palestine”, both for its own sake and to add to the momentum of reform throughout the broader Middle East. He will also deliver tactical victories for Tony Blair by saying that he is prepared to do more in partnership with the EU to ease global warming, and to deliver relief and help development in Africa.

“The nations in our great alliance have many advantages and blessings. We also have a call beyond our comfort — we must raise our sights to the wider world,” Mr Bush will say.

“Our ideals and our interests lead in the same direction. But bringing progress and hope to nations in need, we can improve many lives and lift up failing states, and remove the causes and sanctuaries of terror.”