Transatlantic Focus:
A U.S. Foreign Policy Newsletter

FEB 3-10, 2005. RICE VISITS EUROPE

Between February 3 and February 10, Rice visited the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Italy, France, Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Israel and the West Bank. Rice's trip was intended to promote President Bush's agenda in advance of his trip to Europe February 22-25. She predicted that the president is "going to find a very constructive environment there."

Rice Says U.S. Wants to Work with Europe, NATO on Issues 2005-02-04 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States seeks to work with European and NATO allies in pursuit of diplomatic opportunities to support reform and democracy. "We certainly have a lot of work to do together, we and the Europeans, and we've been through a difficult time, there's no doubt," Rice said in an interview with ZDF German television in Berlin February 4. "But now we see a whole range of opportunities before us, opportunities that diplomacy can help us achieve," she added. read more

U.S.-European Relations Ready for "New Chapter," Rice Says  2005-02-11 Wrapping up a visit to Israel, the West Bank and eight European countries, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says U.S.-European relations are ready to start a "new chapter." Speaking to reporters on her plane February 10 en route to Shannon, Ireland, Rice said everyone she spoke to during her trip was ready to try to "turn a new page" after the difficulties of dissent regarding Afghanistan and Iraq. "Everywhere, people were talking about the way forward. There really wasn't much discussion of what we've been through and there was really an acknowledgement that we've got a big agenda ahead of us," Rice said. read more

U.S., Europe Have Unity of Purpose and Message, Rice Says 2005-02-09 The United States and Europe have unity of purpose and message and are working now to find the right means of dealing with such issues as Iran and the lifting of the EU arms embargo on China, according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Briefing the press after their meeting in Brussels, Belgium, February 9, Rice, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Europe and the United States need each other to accomplish a common agenda based on shared values. read more U.S., Europe Looking Beyond Past Disagreements, Rice Says (2005-02-10)

FEB 10, 2005. RUMSFELD AT NICE, FRANCE MINISTERIAL

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld praised NATO February 10 after a ministerial meeting in Nice, France. “There’s a lot of good things happening in this alliance," he told journalists. He said it would have been inconceivable for NATO to run missions in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an envoy there in the 1970s.

The defense ministers agreed during the meetings on a major expansion of NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, with Italy, Spain and Lithuania committing troops in support of U.S. forces. In addition to Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said operations in Kosovo and Iraq were also major topics of discussion, reflecting “NATO’s increasingly global role and responsibilities.” He said he believes it is important for the free world to stand with countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan that are on the path to democracy. read more Progress Cited in NATO Training of Iraqi Security Forces (2005-02-13)

FEB 14, 2005, RUMSFELD AT Munich Conference on European Security

Rumsfeld Stresses Unity, Cooperation at Security Conference 2005-02-14 Allies must cooperate, while respecting and understanding one another's points of view in the interest of their collective security, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today. At the 41st Munich Conference on European Security, the secretary told the delegates that NATO's enemies know their cause benefits from divisions and differences within the alliance. "But we know that our collective security depends on our cooperation and mutual respect and understanding" he said. read more

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

Bush To Seek $100 Million To Modernize Polish Military 2005-02-09 President Bush met with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski at the White House February 9 and told the Polish leader he would ask the U.S. Congress for $100 million to help modernize the country’s armed forces. Speaking in a joint press availability, Bush said his administration will “make requests that will enable there to be a military-to-military expenditure to help Poland modernize.” The funds are part of a $400 million solidarity initiative announced by the White House February 9 to strengthen the capabilities of U.S. partners to “advance democracy and stability around the world.” read more

Democratic Reforms in Kosovo ‘Cannot Wait,' U.S. Says 2005-02-11  The United States is urging the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo to accelerate efforts to reform local government, improve security, and provide "an environment conducive for the return of those who have been displaced." "Democratic reform in Kosovo, including reform of local government, cannot wait," said U.S. Ambassador Stephan Minikes said in remarks to the OSCE Permanent Council February 10. read more

Transatlantic Focus: A U.S. Foreign Policy Newsletter
is published and distributed by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Mission to NATO - Brussels.