Obama Begins Europe Charm Offensive (GERMANY)

Washington no longer has any bones to pick with Europe. When George W. Bush visited Europe for the last time in June 2008, the debate leading up to his visit was over America's chlorine-rinsed chickens. The unloved US president wanted Europe to open up its market for the controversial, chemically-treated poultry.


On Thursday, when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Brussels as the Obama administration's first high-ranking visitor to the European Union capital, that issue will play no role whatsoever. The evening before, Clinton had already been welcomed at a festive "Trans-Atlantic Dinner." In addition to consultations with her NATO counterparts, she will also hold a photo op with top EU officials. She's even pencilled in some time to meet with young Europeans.

Clinton's bosses will be following her trail to Europe a short time later. According to current plans, Vice President Joe Biden will travel to meet with EU leadership next Tuesday. And on April 5, President Barack Obama himself will attend the EU-USA summit in the Czech Republic, current holder of the rotating EU presidency.

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