Bush - Smuggled Into Paris Like A Mass Murderer Being Smuggled Into Court


I happened to be passing through Paris when George W. Bush visited President Chirac on 5th June 2004.

Normally, when a foreign dignitary visits Paris the streets are filled with national flags and banners of welcome. It is the French way. Even when the President of China visited Paris the flags and banners flew. If the President of Ruritania visited the flags would fly.

But when George W. Bush, President of the USA, visited Paris there were no flags of welcome. No banners.

There was nothing in the papers about the visit. No maps guiding cheering crowds to the best vantage point. Nothing.

The streets of Paris weren't even closed.

Except for the area immediately around the Elysee Palace where Bush and Chirac were due to meet. There the barriers were well in evidence. Armed police were lined up to protect the world's most unpopular man.

Bush was smuggled into Paris just as a mass murderer might be smuggled into court.

I wonder if they covered his head with a blanket when they rushed him into the Elysee Palace?




Copyright Vernon Coleman 2004


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