“ Valedictory Tour ? ”

VoA:

U.S. President George Bush is on his way to Europe for talks with European Union leaders in Slovenia, and discussions in Germany, Italy, the Vatican, France and the United Kingdom. VOA White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports it is likely to be his last official visit to the region, before leaving office.

White House National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley says the president will pursue a broad agenda in Europe.

"At the U.S.-European Union summit and during his bilateral stops, the President will encourage Europe to work with the United States to confront a series of global challenges that face us both," he said.

Those challenges include trade, climate change, the global food crisis and a wide range of security issues - from encouraging stability in the Balkans to bringing peace to the Middle East.

BBC:

Bush eyes economy on Europe trip

IHT says he’s out to shake someones’ Trichet to see what nuts fall out:

"I'll talk about our nation's commitment to a strong dollar," he said at the White House before leaving on an eight-day visit to Europe. "A strong dollar is in our nation's interests. It's in the interest of a global economy."

On the other hand, Deutsche Welle, ever serious about interviewing people who think earthquakes are caused by Global Warming ©®, passed the whole thing off as a “valedictory tour.”