Bush lost ALL credibility around the globe

Given that Bush's poll numbers continue dropping, it is clear that the White House is a state of panic. As a result, Bush and his right-wing cohorts made a U-Turn and are now practically begging those whom they viewed as "irrelevant" just a few months ago, to bail him out.

The response has been cool at best and, hopefully, foreign leaders will NOT fall into his TRAP:

" Bush has changed his tone, but not yet his tune. Now he swears by the UN and asks for the "peace camp's" cooperation, with Chirac, whom he promised to punish, at the head of the line. However, nothing indicates that he is acting out of any other reason than panic at the prospect, more and more probable, that the Baghdad events could cost him the White House in November. His sole strategy remains getting over the June 30 hurdle, involving the UN, but maintaining the reality of power in Baghdad before dangling the "boys'" return in front of the voters in November."

Libération - Wednesday 26 May 2004

The Narrow Path By Patrick Sabatier    
 
As the June 6 commemorations approach, the UN discussions about Iraq's future expose the trench that's been dug in the transatlantic relationship. They could also be an opportunity to partly fill it in, on the condition that they not be based on misunderstandings or opportunistic calculations - which assumes that the United States really changes its policy in Iraq and that France does not seek to exploit the American failure. That is certainly a lot to ask from each party.

    Bush has changed his tone, but not yet his tune. Now he swears by the UN and asks for the "peace camp's" cooperation, with Chirac, whom he promised to punish, at the head of the line. However, nothing indicates that he is acting out of any other reason than panic at the prospect, more and more probable, that the Baghdad events could cost him the White House in November. His sole strategy remains getting over the June 30 hurdle, involving the UN, but maintaining the reality of power in Baghdad before dangling the "boys'" return in front of the voters in November.

    France's position is suddenly difficult. Giving Washington a blank check so as not to wreck the spirit of "D-Day" would perpetuate a disastrous occupation and allow the Iraqi abscess to fester. However, demanding that Bush turn real power over to Iraqis risks a new arm-wrestling contest that could be fatal to a celebrated, but jeopardized, friendship.

    If, all the same, we still want reasons to hope, we must remember that beyond Bush's imperial arrogance, the United States has a fundamental interest in finding allies to cooperate on security issues.

    And it would be just as dangerous for the Iraqis today as for the French of then were Washington to take the slogan "US go home!" too quickly to heart. To bring the occupation to an end without precipitating a retreat: that is the challenge of diplomacy, the narrow path of a possibly unattainable agreement.<<