« The Economist (Part I): Special Report on Anti-Americanism | Main | The Economist (Part II): The Old Slur »

February 22, 2005

Nordic Reactions to Bush’s ”Listening Tour”

The overall Nordic reaction to Bush’s trip to Europe has been positive, and his trip and words appreciated, but with some degree of skepticism as to whether this new rhetoric will in fact be followed by a genuine shift in policy. In spite of many common ideals and interests there are still critical disagreements between European and American approaches to Iraq, Iran, China, the International Criminal Court, Kyoto, and the fight against terrorism. Regarding the latter, the difference is most outspoken when it comes to the question of human rights, where the Guantanamo incidents have been widely criticized, especially throughout the Nordic countries.

In Bruxelles, President Bush described his European trip as a “Listening Tour”, which many Europeans have been longing for. This sign has been positively welcomed in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, where Bush’s trip has been front page stuff followed by editorials in most major newspapers. The large Norwegian newspapers have been more reluctant in discussing Bush’s trip at editorial level, however.

In Denmark, the newspapers Berlingske Tidende, Jyllands-Posten, and Information have all perceived Bush’s speeches and trip as a genuine new signal coming out of Washington. Last month’s elections in Iraq and the new tone in the Middle East have been significant developments in creating more positive sentiments toward the US. Bush’s trip has been perceived as a stretched out hand to Europe. But in order to improve the relationship, both parts need to take action, according to today’s editorial of the semi-right-wing Berlingske Tidende. The US has to listen to its allies, but on the other hand Europe should be able to deliver both political and military contributions, and not just let the US take care of Europe’s security, like it was the case in the Balkans and Iraq. Another right-wing newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, in its editorial recommends European countries to welcome Bush’s stretched out hand, or otherwise the US will continue going it alone.

In Sweden, the reactions have been positive too, but also somewhat critical. The newspaper Dagens Nyheter in today’s editorial writes “Maybe we now have an American counterpart willing to listen, and maybe we also have a European Union with something to say” (my translation).

A more critical news article in Dagens Nyheter covers the demonstrations comprised of 3,500 people from Attac, Greenpeace, Pace, Oxfam, and 86 other organizations in front of the US embassy in Bruxelles Monday and Tuesday. These organizations expressed their dissatisfaction with the US policy on the environment, human rights, peace efforts, and development aid.

In Finland, the newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet in today’s editorial claims that Europe’s and the US’ history is a uniting force, but “you can’t escape the fact that the US sees the world in its own particular way – a way that we find selfish” (my translation). The editorial states that what is worrying in the difference of worldview is if the US’ “black-and-white view of the world” will determine the question of Iran. The editorial continues to claim that the American vision of exporting its own version of “freedom and democracy” to make the world more safe, in Europe is perceived as naïve and illusory (my translation). Finally, the editorial expresses disagreement with the US solution to the world’s security problems in waging a simplified and general war on terrorism, when the causes of terrorism are more multifaceted, rooted in poverty, suppression, inequality, and historical and regional factors.

Posted February 22, 2005 11:27 PM

Comments

Post a comment