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WEEKLY NEWS 2: President Bush's Tour of Europe

The President of the United States, George W. Bush, started his "goodwill" tour of Europe on Monday, February 21, 2005, in Brussels, Belgium. This tour comes two years after the United States prepared to invade Iraq with much opposition from certain European nations. Speaking in Brussels on his first day, the President asked Europe to put aside its differences with the U.S. over the Iraq war and to try to work together.

President Bush met with some of Europe's most outspoken opponents of the war in Iraq, including French President, Jacques Chirac, and German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder. The topics discussed in the meetings with the Heads of States included: European help in post-war Iraq, the European nations' discussions with Iran regarding their nuclear program, and the decision by Europe to lift a 15-year ban on arms sales with China. Meetings between both sides appear to have gone well, with Europe and the U.S. agreeing to try to work together for a safe and free world.

The President received agreement from the 26 members of NATO to help train Iraqi security forces. This was seen as a significant improvement to relations between Europe and the U.S.

The President also visited Germany and Slovakia on his trip, where he met with many European Heads of States, including the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

--Written by Olyvia Overman

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