- President Bush swept into Europe Tuesday on a charm offensive intended to persuade skeptical Europeans to see missile defense and the environment his way. The conservative Republican, who lacked foreign policy experience when he took office in January, has sparked concern in Europe with his support for the death penalty, his reluctance to take action against global warming and his plans to build a U.S. missile defense system.
Bush eased into his first official trip to Europe, a six-day tour of five countries, chatting amiably in Spanish with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on a stroll around a government-owned country estate at Quintos de Mora, a 45-minute helicopter ride south of Madrid.
Earlier, he and his wife Laura met King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid.
The 63-year-old king, revered by Spaniards for helping to guide the country's transition to democracy after nearly four decades of dictatorship, kissed the first lady's hand and the group posed for photographs.
Bureau Report