WASHINGTON — President Bush, whose foreign policy is viewed in some countries as ill-conceived and arrogant, heads to an international summit this week intent on convincing the world that he knows the meaning of consensus.
Bush departs Tuesday on a four-day trip highlighted by the annual gathering of the Group of 8 heads of state and government -- arguably the world's most powerful elected leaders, representing Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
The G-8 conference, which is to begin Wednesday evening at a heavily guarded resort in Gleneagles, Scotland, has become a focal point for activists, religious leaders and rock stars who want wealthy nations to do more to help the world's poor and combat global warming.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the G-8 chairman and summit host, has served notice that aid to Africa and limits on greenhouse gas emissions are at the top of his agenda, and he wants Bush to make bigger commitments on both issues.
For Bush, the summit is an opportunity to repair America's battered image with allies who perceive his administration as unilateralist, self-interested and stingy. For Blair, whose domestic popularity has plummeted in part because of his support for the U.S.-led war in Iraq, it is a chance to show that he's willing to stand up to Bush, at least rhetorically.
In the days leading up to the summit, as rocker Bob Geldof orchestrated Live 8 concerts in 10 far-flung cities and thousands of activists began gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland, the president and his advisors did their best to dispel Bush's image as global cowboy.
"I understand we have an obligation as an influential nation to reach out to others," Bush said in an interview with the Danish Broadcasting Corp. Before arriving in Gleneagles on Wednesday, Bush will make an overnight stop in Denmark to express his appreciation for Copenhagen's support for the war effort.
"We also have an obligation as an influential nation to help others," Bush said, alluding to Blair's emphasis on Africa.
Bush made those remarks shortly after announcing that his administration planned to double development aid to Africa by 2010, but not in the way Blair and other G-8 leaders had proposed. Bush is also expected to rebuff Blair's efforts to secure a U.S. commitment to consider mandatory curbs on greenhouse gases.
Some Africa advocates welcomed the president's pledge but said it departed substantially from what some allies were seeking.
