That speech: these reactions

Reaction to President Bush's keynote speech.

Reaction to President Bush's keynote speech.

Gustav Lindstrom, specialist for transatlantic relations, Institute for Security Studies, Paris:

"It was a very good speech, touching on a lot of bases. And it did the job of delivering a very friendly message.

"One thing that was interesting was the importance he attached to September 11th again. It was his initial starting point and the whole speech was built around it.

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"It was a very clever speech. He was talking about Iraq in both a direct and an indirect way, not even mentioning Iraq in large sections, but giving the appearance to the audience that he was referring to Iraq, for example when talking about the danger of terrorism."

Hala Mustafa, Egyptian political analyst:

"I think President Bush's comments about a two-state solution to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis and his concentration on reform and democracy in the region are very positive. American policy in the Middle East used to be based on business, oil basically, and protecting Israel. It seems now that America is really concerned about the region and its future. This is a good sign.

"The liberal middle classes will see this new development in the American political discourse towards the region as positive, but the wider public mistrusts any comments from American leaders as their view is coloured by the Israeli-Arab conflict."

Georges Le Guelte, French Institute for International and Strategic Relations:

"There was no indication whatsoever in a change in policy - and that is what is worrying.

"He is still focused on the 'war against terrorism' and is still in the same mindset which has led to the mistakes and failures thus far.

"He continues to make links between the September 11th attacks and those elsewhere - for example in Morocco - which had completely different causes.

"It is a speech designed to instil fear into public opinion."

Marc Schattenmann,

Erfurt School of Public Policy, Erfurt University, Germany:

"Bush is only partially right when he talks about the use of force. The UN Charter allows for the use of force in self-defence, to help others in emergencies and where the Security Council approves it. That wasn't the case in Iraq or in Kosovo.

"Many people had doubts about Bush's motives in Iraq. They saw sinister motives, the oil and business interests. The question of credibility is problematic.

"If the UN only did what the United States wanted it would lose credibility around the world."