Rice, Rumsfeld Make Overtures to NATO

Rice speaks at NATO headquarters in Brussels; Rumsfeld was in France. (Yves Logghe -- AP)

In 2003, the U.S. decision to invade Iraq split NATO, with some countries, notably France, Germany and Belgium, staunchly opposed.

Various officials from the United States and NATO agreed that the new tone is in part a result of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections passing more smoothly than anticipated. This allows the countries to say they are assisting the Iraqi people in their quest for democracy instead of aiding an American occupation, the officials said.

In France, Rumsfeld said Wednesday: "Countries recognize that Iraq is on a path where they have a very good crack at making it successfully toward a peaceful representative system. . . . Since the elections, it is correct to say that some countries have in various ways indicated their desire to be supportive in Afghanistan, in Iraq."

De Hoop Scheffer, in the interview, said, "Europe realizes now in this moment, after the successful elections -- and we must admit that President Bush was right there and the cynics were wrong . . . that this is the moment to support the political process from all angles."

Others attribute the change to new outreach from Washington, beginning with Rice's trip to Europe, where she has talked about the need for a fresh start following the bitterness over Iraq.

"There is certainly a new tone on the part of the United States," French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said in an interview Tuesday, just before Rice's arrival. She said now was the time "to use this attitude to consolidate the relationship, to reaffirm the confidence." Speaking of Rice, she said, "I have a lot of esteem for her."

While differences over Iraq seemed to be fading, continuing transatlantic disputes over how to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions continue to complicate relations. In an interview Wednesday with Fox News, Rice seemed to suggest that the three European countries conducting negotiations with the Tehran government had not been tough enough in warning the Iranians of punitive action if they reject a deal to abandon their weapons ambitions.

"I don't know that anyone has said that as clearly as they should to the Iranians," she said, in what appeared to be a slight rebuke to France, Germany and Britain. Later, however, Rice appeared to back away somewhat from that criticism, saying, "I believe that everybody is letting the Iranians know that they have to live up to their international obligations."

Wright reported from Brussels. Staff writer Josh White in Nice contributed to this report.