U.S. President George W. Bush dismissed the rift with Europe over Iraq as a "passing disagreement of governments" on Monday and urged greater trans-Atlantic cooperation, including more support for the fledgling Iraqi government. "Now is the time for the established democracies to give tangible political, economic and security assistance to the world's newest democracy," Bush said in a speech intended for both European and American consumption. Bush began a five-day European trip in Brussels, home to both the European Union and NATO. He also planned to dine privately here with French President Jacques Chirac. "As past debates fade, and great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of trans-Atlantic unity," Bush said in a prepared speech. Excerpts were released before delivery. "No temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us," he said. The site for Bush's speech was the Concert Noble, a 19th century government building used for banquets and meetings. Before the speech, the president planned to make courtesy calls on the king and prime minister of Belgium and NATO's secretary-general. Bush attends meetings of both the European Union and NATO on Tuesday, visits Germany on Wednesday, and on Thursday goes to Slovakia, where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. --MORE 1219 Local Time 0919 GMT
