Bush: Clap Me or No E.U. Speech

By: Paul Gilfeather

George Bush pulled out of a speech to the European Parliament when MEP's wouldn't guarantee a standing ovation.

Senior White House officials said the President would only go to Strasbourg to talk about Iraq if he had a stage-managed welcome.

A source close to negotiations said last night: "President Bush agreed to a speech but insisted he get a standing ovation like at the State of the Union address. His people also insisted there were no protests, or heckling."

"I believe it would be a crucial speech for Mr Bush to make in light of the opposition here to war. But unless he only gets adulation and praise, then it will never happen."

Mr Bush's every appearance in the U.S. is stage-managed, with audiences full of supporters.

It was hoped he would speak after he welcomed Warsaw pact nations to Nato in Prague last November. But his refusal to speak to E.U. leaders face-to-face is seen as a key factor in the split between the U.S.-U.K. coalition and Europe.

The source added: "Relations between the E.U. and the U.S. are worsening fast - this won't help."