Bush Backs Berlusconi Amid Criticism Over EU Role

[Nambe]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters)

President Bush on Monday backed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in his role as rotating president of the European Union, which has been criticized in Europe.

"I am pleased that Prime Minister Berlusconi is now serving as the president of the European Union, and I am confident that under his leadership of the EU, Europe and America will continue to meet the great challenges before us," Bush told a joint news conference with his Italian ally at the U.S. leader's Texas ranch.

Berlusconi has spent much of his three weeks as EU president trying to douse the flames of scandal caused by comments he made against a German politician.

On the second day of the six-month presidency which began on July 1, Berlusconi compared a German member of the European parliament to a Nazi concentration camp guard, sparking international outrage and a diplomatic row.

Previously, many political groups in the European parliament and leading European media had questioned Berlusconi's suitability for the post. In Italy, Berlusconi has faced charges, which he denies, of bribing judges, and he has benefited from last-minute immunity legislation.

[fairfaxvadem]

1. Doesn't he realize...

That the only challenge the EU faces is him???

[Democat]

2. Bribing judges?

I wonder why Bush likes a buy who might have bribed judges so much?

[htuttle]

3. Bush actually thinks his 'backing' will HELP Berlusconi at the EU?

He really doesn't read his briefing papers, does he?

[madrchsod]

4. this slug is why

the eu is rethinking this revolving president idea. they may go to a longer appointed term or variation of an appointed term...berlusconi is a real threat democratic ideas of the eu..

[Paschall]

6. I don't think so

The EU draft constitution setting the EU president's term at 2.5 years was completed before Berlusconi stepped into the spot. A stable EU presidency has long been a goal of Europhiles.

[LauraK]

7. Berlusconi could be removed! I read a French article....

by a prominent EU legal advisor which says Berlusconi's position as PM in Italy is likely a violation of EU standards. Berlusconi own a vast media empire in Italy which would make him ineligible to lead in any other member state of the EU. While he's sucking up on the ranch with not horses, EU lawyers are looking for a way to give him a Texas style lynching.

I'll look for the article....I've done a lot of reading today and I've already tried my browser history to no avail.

[NicoleM]

5. I could do foreign policy better than this admin

and I know jack about it.

So the US and Germany are in the midst of strained relations. Germany and Italy are pretty much out-and-out feuding. We need Germany as an ally. So what do we do? We put our arms around Italy and give 'em a big hug, and basically give a big "screw you" to Germany. Neener-neener-neener, we don't need you 'cause we got ITALY now! YEE-HAW!

Is there anybody in BushCo who isn't a total moron? Or do they just not care?