President Bush reaches out to steady British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who could not stop laughing during the two day meeting.
President Bush and First Lady Laura met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie over the weekend. Blair, who had been in Canada, thought it would be a great opportunity to meet the new U.S. president. Bush, who spent the week giving photo-ops at schools, thought it would be a great way to take a three day weekend at Camp David.
The pair are a study in political opposites: Blair was a friend and admirer of former president Bill Clinton while Bush is a champion of the far right and son of the antichrist. Despite the differences, they did manage to find some common ground.
"Well, we're both dads," chuckled Bush at a news conference on Saturday. "So we have the compassionate bond of parentalness, although I would raise his children betterly. He also has a great knowledge about U.S. events and world politics."
For his part, Prime Minister Blair admitted that Bush's "knowledge of The Benny Hill Show is staggering. He kept slapping Vice President Cheney on the back of the head all Friday night. And President Bush was able to point out England on a map, so that's a start."
Among the topics discussed were the sanctions against Iraq, a continuation of the friendly U.S.-British relationship, and the possibility of a joint military group that would exist outside of NATO.
Another matter of discussion was the planned U.S. missile defense system. Known to Europeans as "Son of Star Wars", the system would violate current nuclear treaties. Despite global condemnation, Bush remains committed to the plan.
"I understands their concern," Bush stated, "but no one will tell the United States what it can or can't not do. We are the ones who decide what goes on in this world, not them."
Before departing to return home, Blair stopped to tell reporters that even though they don't agree on everything "there is no need to change the friendship between our two countries. Yes, your president is offensive and seems to have an endless supply of fart jokes. However, he is fun to laugh at. I think the French will love him."
