Even President Bush Called the Security and Prosperity Partnership a "Union" Back in 2005
Larry GreenleyJBSSaturday, July 14, 2007
Yet another article has been written pooh-poohing the increasingly widespread perception that the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) is serving as a steppingstone toward a North American Union (NAU). In an article posted on washingtonpost.com today, Marcela Sanchez ridicules those who "believe that the SPP is a 'blueprint for the North American Union.'" However, President Bush has already referred to the SPP as a "union" during a press conference at the March 23, 2005 North American Summit where he and the leaders of Canada and Mexico launched the SPP.
President Bush's reference to a "union" occurred in response to a very perceptive question by Tom Clark, a well-known Canadian newsman. After being recognized by Canadian Prime Minister Martin, Clark said: "Thank you, Prime Minister. A question to yourself, and to President Bush and President Fox, as well.... Keeping in mind, in front of us, the European Union, how much is this partnership a first step towards continental integration?"
After Martin answered Clark's question, President Fox gave his answer. Then, it was President Bush's turn to answer. President Bush said: "And I think when people see that we're willing to continue to work through issues — Canada, the United States and Mexico — it may make it more palatable for countries to recognize the benefits of trade. So that the vision that you asked about in your question as to what kind of union might there be, I see one based upon free trade, that would then entail commitment to markets and democracy, transparency, rule of law." (emphasis added)
So there you have it. The newsman asked President Bush to consider in light of the European Union how much the SPP is a step towards continental integration. In his answer President Bush didn't avoid the "u" word, but straightforwardly referred to the SPP as a "union."
Click here to read the full transcript of the press conference. When you go to the press conference webpage, you'll see a link to a video of the press conference. To view Tom Clark asking his question about the EU and continental integration, click on the video link, and slide the button to about one-third of the way through the video. To view President Bush's response, slide the button to about the halfway point. You can get your bearings in the video by using the transcript as a roadmap.
Larry GreenleyJBSSaturday, July 14, 2007
Yet another article has been written pooh-poohing the increasingly widespread perception that the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) is serving as a steppingstone toward a North American Union (NAU). In an article posted on washingtonpost.com today, Marcela Sanchez ridicules those who "believe that the SPP is a 'blueprint for the North American Union.'" However, President Bush has already referred to the SPP as a "union" during a press conference at the March 23, 2005 North American Summit where he and the leaders of Canada and Mexico launched the SPP.
President Bush's reference to a "union" occurred in response to a very perceptive question by Tom Clark, a well-known Canadian newsman. After being recognized by Canadian Prime Minister Martin, Clark said: "Thank you, Prime Minister. A question to yourself, and to President Bush and President Fox, as well.... Keeping in mind, in front of us, the European Union, how much is this partnership a first step towards continental integration?"
After Martin answered Clark's question, President Fox gave his answer. Then, it was President Bush's turn to answer. President Bush said: "And I think when people see that we're willing to continue to work through issues — Canada, the United States and Mexico — it may make it more palatable for countries to recognize the benefits of trade. So that the vision that you asked about in your question as to what kind of union might there be, I see one based upon free trade, that would then entail commitment to markets and democracy, transparency, rule of law." (emphasis added)
So there you have it. The newsman asked President Bush to consider in light of the European Union how much the SPP is a step towards continental integration. In his answer President Bush didn't avoid the "u" word, but straightforwardly referred to the SPP as a "union."
Click here to read the full transcript of the press conference. When you go to the press conference webpage, you'll see a link to a video of the press conference. To view Tom Clark asking his question about the EU and continental integration, click on the video link, and slide the button to about one-third of the way through the video. To view President Bush's response, slide the button to about the halfway point. You can get your bearings in the video by using the transcript as a roadmap.
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