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June 21, 2006

A Surprise Out of the EU-US Summit

A pretty stinging rebuke...of U.S. critics.

"That's absurd,"Bush snapped at a news conference in response to an assertion that the United States was regarded as the biggest threat to global security."We'll defend ourselves, but at the same time we're actively working with our partners to spread peace and democracy.

Unbidden, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel rose with an impassioned defense that seemed to surprise the president.

"I think it's grotesque to say that America is a threat to the peace in the world compared with North Korea, Iran, a lot of countries,"Schuessel said. Europe would not enjoy peace and prosperity if not for U.S. help after World War II, he said.


What the good Chancellor said (and I'll paraphrase here, as I can't find the transcript yet) was that he'd been born in '45 and Europe was in ruins. The United States spent billions of dollars and many years to raise an enemy up into freedom and prosperity.
"Where," he asked "would Europe be now without the United States?"

Indeed. Thank you, sir.

UPDATE: The Gateway Pundit (As I knew he would!) tracked down the whole thing! Read and be truly amazed:

CHANCELLOR SCHÜSSEL: Let me add -- let me add something. I think Austria is really a good example to show that America has something to do with freedom, democracy, prosperity, development. Don't forget I was born in '45. At that time, Vienna and half of Austria laid in ruins. And without the participation of America, what fate would have Europe? Where would be Europe today? Not the peaceful, prosperous Europe like we love it and where we live.

Nothing -- I will never forget that America fed us with food, with economic support. The Marshall Plan was an immense aid and incentive to develop industry, agriculture, tourism. And by the way, I said it to the President, the Marshall Fund is still working in Austria. It's now transformed into a kind -- in a fund for research and development -- still working.

The American people, at that time, the American government invested billions of dollars in Europe to develop the former enemy. And now we are a partner. So I think it's grotesque to say that America is a threat to the peace in the world compared with North Korea, Iran, other countries.


Posted by tree hugging sister at June 21, 2006 07:45 PM

Comments

But you know all Austrian politicians are ex-nazis; I've seen the Sound of Music, you know.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 21, 2006 08:01 PM

Unfortunately, he's a dying breed. Younger Euros don't see things his way.

Posted by: NJ Sue at June 21, 2006 08:09 PM

Younger Euros are going to need us to save their a$$es again, and I'm not so sure we'll be inclined the third time.

Posted by: John at June 21, 2006 09:32 PM

What a conundrum for the left. Save their oh-so-sophisticamated euro friends vs. US military saving their asses. Decisions, decisions.

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at June 21, 2006 10:43 PM

The transcript is at the White House website. It is very good!

Posted by: Jim Hoft at June 22, 2006 12:28 AM

Thanks Jim!

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 22, 2006 07:19 AM

Wow, danke schon, Herr Schussel!

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 22, 2006 08:29 AM

Screw Ahnold - Schussel '08!

Posted by: Nightfly at June 22, 2006 09:57 AM

Well, he's fer sure gonna need a job after those comments, Diptera...

Posted by: tree hugging sister at June 22, 2006 10:01 AM