| Page 2 of 2 < |
Diplomacy on Two Wheels
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, left, bikes with President Bush in the mountains at Camp David.
(By Eric Draper -- The White House Via Getty Images)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Rasmussen shrugged off such comments -- "That's a natural opposition criticism," he said with a laugh. It was telling, though, that he departed from the generally friendly banter at a Friday news conference with Bush at Camp David to deliver a strong rebuke of alleged human rights abuses by U.S. forces.
"When unacceptable events happen in Abu Ghraib, and when allegations are made about horrific events in Haditha, it is not only a tragedy for the victims, it is damaging to our own efforts and an offense to our very own values," Rasmussen said.
Before Friday's meeting, Danish officials had voiced concern that the United States would begin withdrawing troops from Iraq without telling allies, and they expected Rasmussen to press Bush for more details on planning for reductions. Rasmussen said the two had a "detailed discussion of future strategy" in Iraq but declined to divulge details of his conversation with Bush. He said he was certain Bush "will consult with partners before final decisions are made."
"He knows that if he tells me something confidentially, he can be sure that I will keep it for myself," Rasmussen said. "The president values loyalty very much."
He added: "The president and I have developed a personal friendship, which I think is due to the fact that the president is an easygoing man, he is straightforward, he is very open, he is very informal."
Rasmussen voiced no doubt that his friendship with Bush has meant more than a bicycle ride at Camp David. "I have an easy access to President Bush -- he's the leader of the only superpower in the world. That is to the benefit of my country," he said.
Staff writer Bradley Graham contributed to this report.
