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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush to Visit Paris
Aired May 26, 2002 - 07:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is en route to Paris at this hour. It's his next stop on his weeklong European journey. He left St. Petersburg, Russia this morning, praising that country's recent move toward religious freedom.
In France, Mr. Bush plans meeting with President Jacques, an ally in America's war on terrorism. CNN's Jim Bittermann has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Oh say can you see...
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A few months ago, when Americans in France wanted to honor New York fireman by planting a tree, a French senator offered them a spot. President Jacques Chirac's wife lent support and a French film star took part.
In a post 9/11 world, the U.S. in many ways could not want more loyal allies than the French. President Chirac was one of the first world leaders to back the war on terrorism and was the first to visit the U.S. after the attacks.
French terrorism investigators provided clues that have helped in the hunt for al Qaeda. And the French military has 2,000 troops in Afghanistan, but France is not about to become the 51st state given the reaction of some to U.S. policy since 9/11.
ALEXANDRE ADLER, POLITICAL ANALYST: Resentment, anger and anguish among the Europeans that we are no more center stage. They were no more center stage on the wider world scene, that's new. But we are not center stage on the State Department or the White House agenda.
BITTERMANN: With economic links to Iraq, for example, France is urging a more thoughtful approach than simply eliminating Saddam Hussein. Washington does not seem to be listening.
Anew steel tariffs and agricultural trade restrictions, the French have been seriously critical of the Bush administration. On the environment and the World Criminal Court, many were appalled at the way the U.S. backed out of international agreements.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are issues, which are very close either to the heart or to the billfold. They do generate this negative view of the Bush administration and limit the ability of European governments to displace solidarity with the U.S.
BITTERMANN: The author of a new book on Franco-American relations say the U.S., under the Bush administration, is behaving like a 19th century nation-state and he blames domestic politics.
GUILLAUME PARMENTIER, AUTHOR: The idea of winning the next presidential elections reigns supreme. And that makes, of course, the calculation of future American policies much more difficult for the Europeans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BITTERMANN: And I should just added, Kyra, that security is going to be somewhat draconian around the Paris area this afternoon. More than 30 groups have asked to participate in a large protest demonstration, largely anti-globalization in nature that will go through the streets in Paris. In theory, at least, it shouldn't get closer than a mile-and-half to the area where the two presidents are going to meeting this afternoon, but nonetheless, security officials worried somewhat.
And I'll also just add that after the Bush visit, after the visit to Normandy tomorrow, Chancellor Gerhart Schroeder of Germany and President Jacques Chirac are going to get together to have a little evaluation session of the George Bush visit to Europe -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Jim, you mentioned Normandy. Let's talk a little bit about that. I actually just got back from your neck of the woods, went through there and everybody was talking about some time -- well, a lot of veterans coming back.
BITTERMANN: Well, in fact, I mean that has been the provisional, symbolic location for presidents that have always come, all of the presidents in recent memory starting with Ronald Reagan on have gone up to Normandy because it is the part of the planet that best symbolizes the relations between Europe and the United States that -- back in World War II on June 6, 1944, when the Americans landed on the beaches of Normandy and came to the salvation of Europe, to help save Europe from the Nazis in -- at the end of World War II. So for that reason, it is a favorite spot for a lot of presidents that have come through here.
There's an awful lot of pro-American feeling up there, although we are told that there are some demonstrations planned for the Normandy area when President Bush gets up there tomorrow -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Jim Bittermann, thanks so much.
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