election. On a visit in February, he won European support to help rebuild Iraq, including from opponents of the U.S.-led war. But the Iraq issue is still sensitive. Hundreds of Dutch protesters demonstrated on Saturday against Bush and the war. Bush said the United States and Europe must build on the alliance cemented in World War Two to bring democracy to the Middle East in the 21st century. "Americans and Europeans are continuing to work together and are bringing freedom and hope to places where it has long been denied. In Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Lebanon and across the broader Middle East," he said. "Freedom is the permanent hope of all mankind. And when that hope is made real for all people, it will be because of the sacrifices of a new generation of men and women, as selfless and dedicated to liberty as those we honour today." Bush and dozens of other world leaders join President Vladimir Putin for victory celebrations in Moscow on Monday.
