Terror Upstages G-8
GLENEAGLES, SCOTLAND--It was supposed to be a summit meeting in which America's president, for once, stepped back from center stage. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was hosting the annual conclave of the eight richest industrial democracies, and he was pushing an expansive agenda that included aid to Africa and reductions in emissions linked to global warming. President Bush was hoping to play down his differences with Blair, his staunchest ally, over how to deal with climate change and African poverty. And there was plenty of media interest in the political woes of French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Then came the London bombings--and everything changed.
The Group of Eight leaders were suddenly focusing anew on the war on terrorism, President Bush's signature initiative since Sept. 11, 2001, and they were expressing a rare unity. Blair used words similar to Bush's rhetoric as he damned the "barbaric" conduct and sought to rally his nation much as Bush did after 9/11. White House aides say the president feels the latest attacks reinforce his arguments that the terrorists will stop at nothing to undermine the West and that the "civilized" nations must remain vigilant and relentless in pursuing those he calls "the evildoers." Bush asserts that he is waging the war in Iraq so America doesn't have to fight the terrorists inside its borders, and it remains unclear whether Americans will question that logic now that Britain, America's staunchest ally, has been attacked at home. Bush strategists argue that Americans will increase their support for Bush's hard line, which had been eroding as the Iraq conflict dominated the headlines.
Minutes after the attacks, it was Blair who broke the news to Bush and the other G-8 leaders as they prepared to meet at a posh Gleneagles golf resort. Bush was immediately briefed by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, and he then convened a secure videoconference to receive updates on the situation and the potential for other terrorist attacks. Bush ordered his staff to give the British as much help as possible and to make sure an attack wasn't imminent at home. For the rest of the day, his national security and intelligence advisers conferred regularly via videoconferences.
Bush was described as deeply impressed with Blair's unflappability and resolve, partly because the president saw similarities to himself in the prime minister's performance under crisis conditions. And Bush told aides that he was particularly distressed, though not surprised, that the terrorists had targeted mass transit in London in order to maximize civilian casualties. Summarizing his views, Bush declared that the "ideology of hope and compassion" would defeat the "ideology of hate" --the same message that Blair was spreading as he dealt with his own version of 9/11.
This story appears in the July 18, 2005 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
advertisement
