There’s been sporadic talk that Bush’s second term will be far more accommodating to our international allies than his first, with the president making a more concerted effort to reach out to those who pushed away. Even this morning, Condoleezza Rice pledged to work to mend and strengthen ties with allies frayed by the war in Iraq.
But before we embrace a renewed spirit of cooperation, we need to snub those former allies just once more — this time at Bush’s second inauguration.
Cubans, Iranians and North Koreans are not invited [to the inauguration]; the United States doesn’t have diplomatic relations with them. But other Latins and Asians – as well as Africans, Europeans, Arabs and others – got invitations to the inaugural parade and ball. And, as is tradition, members of the diplomatic corps will attend the Capitol Hill swearing-in ceremony, sitting in a block but with their own disparate views on the day….
Much depends upon where each country stands on the Iraq war and whether they sent troops while most of the world refused.
“We have been able to work very closely and successfully with the first Bush administration,” said Australian Ambassador Michael Thawley, whose nation was one of the few contributing invasion troops.
“We are looking forward to continuing that relationship in the second Bush administration,” said Thawley, who plans to attend several inaugural events and balls.
Less enthused are those snubbed after their nations balked at the war. (emphasis added)
Is it me, or does this seem unusually petty, even for the Bush gang? Countries that withheld support for the war in Iraq — in other words, countries that were right while Bush was wrong — get bad tickets and fewer invitations to inaugural balls? Sounds like the president wants to start his second term with the kind of class and graciousness he used in his first term.
We really are dealing with a president with the temperament of a child.