Powell hits back at European critics

Powell: Europe too quick to find fault

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has sharply criticised some European leaders for constantly attacking American foreign policy as it pursues its war on terrorism.

We realise that sometimes we Americans speak in a certain way that causes distress, but it's not necessarily because we are wrong

Colin Powell

In an interview with the British newspaper, The Guardian, Mr Powell argues that European criticism of American policy statements such as President Bush's axis of evil speech is misplaced.

Mr Powell points to the imminent enlargement of Nato, and Russia's acceptance of the proposed US National Missile Defence system as successes of the Bush administration's policies.

Mr Powell is shortly to accompany President Bush on a tour of several European capitals.

Defence of 'axis of evil'

European leaders strongly criticised President Bush's state of the nation address in January in which he identified three nations as an "axis of evil".

Iraq, Iran and North Korea were accused of "arming to threaten the peace of the world".

We will continue to take principled positions that we believe are right for the US and right for the issue

Colin Powell

European leaders criticised the concept as simplistic and dangerous.

"We realise that sometimes we Americans speak in a certain way that causes distress, but it's not necessarily because we are wrong," Mr Powell said.

"All the catastrophic things that were supposed to happen because the president used that line have not happened.

"The president came up with a clever way of capturing them and guess what - the Koreans now want to talk to us, The Iraqis are trying to pretend that they are behaving better."

'Not unilateralist'

The secretary of state also defended Washington against charges of unilateralism.

Some European leaders have accused the US of following its own interests without consulting its allies on issues as diverse as the environment, chemical and biological weapons and trade tariffs.

"This is an administration and this is a president that has strong beliefs and values. And just because we may not be able to reach an agreement doesn't mean we don't care what everybody else says," Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell conceded that there was a rise in anti-European sentiment in the US, including accusations of anti-Semitism.

The feelings he said "reflect the fact that we get bashed all the time".