tell me what you guys think about this visit…
**Bush will try to reach out to America’s old allies in Europe
US President George W Bush has arrived in Brussels at the start of his key visit aimed at repairing the strains in ties with Europe over the Iraq war.
“Now is the time for us to set aside that difference and to move forward,” Mr Bush said before leaving the US.
He will be the first US leader to visit the EU institutions, and will also give a key speech on his vision of the future of transatlantic relations.
A huge security operation is being put in place for Mr Bush’s five-day trip.
Some 2,500 Belgian police and 250 US secret agents are being deployed in Brussels.
BUSH ITINERARY
Sunday: Arrives in Brussels
Monday: Talks with Belgian leaders, then gives speech on transatlantic relations. Dinner with French President Jacques Chirac
Tuesday: Breakfast with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Meets Ukrainian and Italian leaders at Nato HQ, then meets European Union leaders then holds news conference
Wednesday: Leaves Brussels for Germany. Holds news conference with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Mainz, then meets US troops in Wiesbaden. Leaves for Slovakia
Thursday: Gives speech in Bratislava, meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, then holds news conference
Parts of the Belgian capital had been turned into a no-go zone before Mr Bush’s plane landed in the city airport just after 2100 (2000 GMT).
The president was then whisked off to the heavily guarded residence of the US ambassador in Belgium in downtown Brussels, where he would spend three nights.
Thousands of protesters are expected to stage rallies during Mr Bush’s first foreign tour since his second term in office began in January.
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators rallied in central Brussels, carrying slogans “Bush is not welcome”.
Bush’s charm offensive
Mr Bush’s tour will also take him to Germany - for talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder - and Slovakia, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Demonstrators in Brussels protested against Mr Bush’s policies
The US president is also due to have talks with his closest ally, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as one of the main critics of his Iraqi policy, French President Jacques Chirac.
Arms sales to China, Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, the peace process in the Middle East and climate control will be among the other key issues during Mr Bush’s tour.
Despite Mr Bush’s charm offensive, there are too many issues dividing the US from much of Europe to enable peace to be declared on all fronts, the BBC News website’s world affairs editor Paul Reynolds says.
Nevertheless, he adds, there will be efforts towards finding a way forward on some of these problems, though some of this is papering over the differences. **