Bush kicks off European tour

President Bush speaks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Tuesday, marking his first European visit as president

June 12, 2001
Web posted at: 4:26 PM EDT (2026 GMT)

	RESOURCE
Lesson plan for parents and educators -- Click here

MADRID, Spain -- U.S. President George W. Bush has started his first official visit to Europe since taking office amid international criticism on a range of issues, such as global warming and plans for a national missile defense system.

Asked about criticism from some European countries over his refusal to back the Kyoto protocol on global warming and his plans for a missile defense system, Bush said: "There is a lot that unites us -- trade, common values, great opportunities.

"I look forward to making my case -- about missile defense. It starts with explaining to Russia and our European friends and allies, that Russia is not the enemy of the United States.

"That the attitude of mutually assured destruction is a relic of the cold war and that we must address the new threats of the 21st century if we are to have a peaceful continent and a peaceful world."

RESOURCES   Bush and Europe: On the issues   Bush's European agenda   Global warming: U.S. and Kyoto

He repeated his criticism of the Kyoto protocol, a 1997 treaty that commits 37 industrialized nations to cut gas emissions, which he has rejected much to the consternation of European allies.

Hours before departing for his six-day, five-nation tour, Bush promised increased environmental research and commitment from the United States in response to the goals set up by the Kyoto accord.

"Kyoto is in many ways unrealistic," Bush said in the White House Rose Garden. "Many countries cannot meet their Kyoto targets. The targets themselves were arbitrary and not based upon science.

"For America, complying with those mandates would have a negative economic impact with layoffs of workers and price increases for consumers."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto protocol, but also said he would not submit it to the U.S. Senate for ratification until several changes were made.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar after the two leaders' private meeting in Madrid on Tuesday, Bush urged governments to "think differently in order to keep the peace."

Bush said: "We must work together to prevent or resolve regional conflicts, to eliminate barriers to free trade, to extend Europe's zone of peace and stability by enlarging the great institutions of European unity and strengthen our ability to meet new challenges to our security."

Following his trip to Spain, the president was scheduled to visit Belgium, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Along the way he will take part in his first group interaction with leaders of the European Union and the NATO alliance.

"I look forward to meeting with Russian President (Vladimir) Putin to set out a new and constructive and realistic relationship between Russia and the United States.

"I'm looking forward to talking to President Putin, to assure him of our friendship and to offer him a strong normal relationship with America."

Bush plans to return to Europe later this summer for the annual meeting of the Group of Eight nations in Genoa, Italy.

Bush also announced he will visit Britain -- not part of this week's tour -- in July on his way to the summit.

Skeptical leaders await Bush on European trip
June 11, 2001
Spaniards protest over Bush visit
June 10, 2001
New study may pressure Bush on climate change
June 7, 2001
Bush resolves to act on global warming amid renewed pressure
June 7, 2001

Welcome To The White House
Kyoto Climate Summit

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.