Zapatero 'Angry' Over Obama Skipping EU Meeting In Madrid

New York Times:

President Obama has decided not to attend a United States-European Union summit scheduled for Madrid in May, and European Union officials found out about the decision through the press late on Monday, senior European officials said Tuesday morning.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Wilkby]

10:29 AM on 02/03/2010

Oh Bean. Kiss my Blackadder.

[Macready]

05:10 AM on 02/03/2010

this is a bad move on Obama's part . . . actually I think it is stupid . . . but one good thing might happen . . the EU might stop kow towing to the US

[potrerohillman]

12:37 AM on 02/03/2010

this administration appears as maladriot as bush's. why is our state department not vetting everything on the qt before decisions are made? why are there no "preemptive" diplomatic strikes to lessen the impact of our international blunders. obie has lost his charm--why? because the rest of the world sees through him now?

things are looking pretty lame, and there isn't even a duck in sight.

[rd79]

04:28 PM on 02/02/2010

President Obama does has time to go to Indonesia

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0210/obamas_to_indonesia_a663c9e2-1e10-465b-85a2-160e110cd137.html

"press secretary Robert Gibbs said the trip "is an important part of the president's continued effort to broaden and strengthen the partnerships that are necessary to advance our security and prosperity."

I guess europe isn't important enough anymore.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

03:48 PM on 02/02/2010

...it's called the EUROPEAN Union.

[skialethia]

03:49 PM on 02/02/2010

That's right! so we are not in a position to drag them into any more wars!

[potrerohillman]

12:41 AM on 02/03/2010

so, if you are invited to a party, indicating that you will come, then cancel, that is alright because it's not your party. you must work for the state department

[petera63]

03:06 PM on 02/02/2010

The Europeans should understand that President Obama is very busy attending town hall meetings and delivering speeches.

[petera63]

04:43 PM on 02/02/2010

I mean very "busy".

[potrerohillman]

12:42 AM on 02/03/2010

you forgot the posturing with members of the gop, in that list of approved white house activities

[KIVPossum]

01:28 PM on 02/02/2010

The Chinese are made about a meeting, the left is mad about a meeting, EU is mad about another meeting. Seems if Obama goes to a meeting he pees off someone. If he doesn't he pees off someone.

He should go to this one.

[bwenston42]

02:56 PM on 02/02/2010

Sorrry the U.S. Government only jumps when The peoples Republic of China's government is peed off.

[beatbox32]

12:00 PM on 02/02/2010

Way to repair our relationship with our "Eurpoean allies", Mr. President.

[coastalcarla]

05:06 PM on 02/02/2010

Right. And if he went, you people would be complaining that he was wasting his time over there. Give it up.

[potrerohillman]

12:44 AM on 02/03/2010

we people may be upset on the turn about and percieved insult. but then again since when do americans care about anyone else's feelings?

[DemCentrist]

11:38 AM on 02/02/2010

Why would Obama waste his time attending this meeting?

The EU loves to talk and debate......but when push comes to shove.....they are impotent.

Why would the American President waste his time?

[phute]

12:44 PM on 02/02/2010

You're talking loud and saying nothing Demcentrist.

[KIVPossum]

01:29 PM on 02/02/2010

They are our friends
This is a US - EU meeting
Other head's of state will be there

Bit more important that going to Europe to beg for the Olympics.

[mratcheson]

11:17 AM on 02/02/2010

He can't be everywhere all the time. Sec of State Clinton or VP Biden or whoever they decide to send, are very able.

[potrerohillman]

12:39 AM on 02/03/2010

nice try. however, it seems that whatever happened, someone got the impression that he was going and now he isn't. therein lies the rub.

[Ira7]

09:31 AM on 02/02/2010

This guy got it right:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles Grant, the director of the Center for European Reform, a London-based research center, said that the Obama snub “is a useful wake-up call for the E.U.” He said the European Union must realize “that no one will court them or have summits with them because Europe is a nice idea. They need to deliver.”

Mr. Obama sees Europe as an important ally, but “Obama clearly has no emotional identification with Europe,” Mr. Grant said. “He has a cool, analytical view of allies and partners, but when the Europeans can’t provide much to help America solve global security problems, he doesn’t want to spend too much time on it.”

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[fya]

10:28 PM on 02/02/2010

That says it all.

[potrerohillman]

12:38 AM on 02/03/2010

and which ally do we have left? canada?