Condoleezza Rice Embarks on Diplomatic Mission in Europe and the Middle East

Strategic Insights -

In the run-up to President Bush's scheduled February 22-25 visit to Europe, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to 10 countries across the continent and the Middle East. Rice's trip, which will cover over two weeks, aims to identify a common agenda for 2005 with European and Middle Eastern partners, with a focus on supporting and working with European institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rice will visit the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Israel, the West Bank, Italy, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg from February 3 to 10, meeting with Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers along the way.
  • The highlight of her trip will be a speech she is scheduled to deliver on February 8 in Paris, discussing US-European relations, current policy, and other topics.
  • Building peace in the Middle East and Iraq, and the situation in the Balkans, are widely expected to be among the topics up for discussion, as well as paving the way for the Bush visit.
  • Rice has emphasized the importance of working in partnership with allies and others around the world, "putting the tools of diplomacy to work to unite, strengthen and widen the community of democracies."
  • The US President has pledged to support democratic movements in the Middle East and beyond, with a goal of ending tyranny in the world, and is seeking $350 million to support Palestinian reforms.
  • Rice has stated that Iran has been offered a diplomatic way to fulfill its international obligations, and that they "ought to take it," but noted that there are ongoing issues, including support for terrorism, nuclear development, and human rights abuses.

Statistics:

  • 10 countries will be visited by Rice during her trip (United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Israel, the West Bank, Italy, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg).
  • February 3-10: dates of Rice's diplomatic mission.
  • $350 million: the amount of funding the US President has pledged to support Palestinian reforms.
  • 2005: the year Rice aims to identify a common agenda with European and Middle Eastern partners.

Sources:

  • "State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher"
  • "President George W. Bush's State of the Union address" (February 2)
  • "Condoleezza Rice's speech at her January 28 swearing-in ceremony"
  • "President George W. Bush's State of the Union address" (February 2)
  • "Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers" of the countries Rice is visiting (specified in the schedule)
  • "European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso"
  • "NATO officials"