 Spain's foreign minister said Madrid "neither sought nor negotiated for" a one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and President George W Bush during the US-EU gathering in Brussels. | "Nope. Nope. Not us. No way, no how. Not even if you paid us." |
Zapatero flew to the Belgian capital on Monday for a meeting between European leaders and the US president. But Zapatero is unlikely to get more than a fleeting meeting with Bush.| All dressed up with nowhere to go. |
"It has already been said many times that no bilateral meeting with the president of the United States has been sought, nor negotiated nor attempted," Miguel Angel Moratinos said at a press conference following a meeting of European Union foreign ministers. Zapatero and Bush "will speak as (people) speak in the hallways", but underscored that "no bilateral meeting" is planned apart from the summit.| Other than a few hopeful smiley emoticons and a Evite on Condi's BlackBerry. |
"The meetings will happen in good time. I don't think there's any hurry or urgency," added Moratinos. "It's just that we have a schedule and will logically work it out as usual between two partners and allies who enjoy good relations and are going to keep strengthening them."| It's not a partnership when you're sitting at the kid's table, Miguel. |
Moratinos pointed out that he himself plans to visit the United States in April and noted the possibility that his staff and that of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may finalise schedules and decide on a specific date for the visit on Tuesday.| "Why, it's almost just exactly the same as meeting POTUS face-to-face. It's much better this way. And my boss is just a powerless figurehead anyway. I'm the brains of this outfit!" |
|