ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — President Bush challenged Europe on Saturday to set aside differences over the war against Iraq and to sign on to his vision of a U.S.-led trans-Atlantic alliance dedicated to promoting freedom and prosperity around the world.
"New theories of rivalry should not be permitted to undermine the great principles and obligations that we share," the president said in the Polish city of Krakow before traveling to this former imperial capital celebrating its 300th anniversary. "The enemies of freedom have always preferred a divided alliance — because when Europe and America are united, no problem and no enemy can stand against us."
Consigning the recent divisions to history is a key theme of weekend summits and festivities here and in France. And at a Saturday night banquet, the ice was broken as Bush came face to face with two key European critics of the war in Iraq: his host, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Yet although Bush's trip has been billed as a fence-mending tour, his Krakow speech did not acknowledge or answer criticism of his decision to use force against Iraq. In fact, the president subtly chided his European allies for failing to rise to America's defense in its time of need.
Just as Europe should have confronted Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in 1939, he suggested, more European countries should have been willing to confront Saddam Hussein after the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon in 2001.
"For my country, the events of September the 11th were as decisive as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the treachery of another September in 1939," Bush said. "And the lesson of all those events is the same: Aggression and evil intent must not be ignored or appeased. They must be opposed early and decisively."
The reference to Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939 drew enthusiastic applause from the invited audience of about 500 Poles in the elegant, colonnaded courtyard of Krakow's Wawel Castle, a Polish national shrine. Bush chose Poland as the site for his address to thank its people for their staunch support for the war against Iraq.
"Poland is a good citizen of Europe and Poland is a close friend of America — and there is no conflict between the two," Bush said.
U.S. officials have made clear in recent days that they consider the opposition of Germany and France to the war to have been not just a difference of opinion but an act of disloyalty. They have been more gracious to Russia, which is seen as being a younger and less experienced ally.
In the Krakow speech, Bush indicated he is willing to let bygones be bygones as long as it doesn't happen again.
"This is a time for all of us to united in the defense of liberty and to step up to the shared duties of free nations," the president said. "This is no time to stir up divisions in a great alliance."
French President Jacques Chirac, whose conflict with Bush over Iraq policy was particularly severe, sought Saturday to put an upbeat spin on the discussions he will have with Bush at a G-8 summit of industrialized nations in Evian, France, that begins Sunday.
"I am very happy that I shall have the chance in Evian to meet President Bush, and we will have to raise questions in the most positive manner," Chirac told reporters here. Chirac left St. Petersburg on Saturday evening to prepare for the summit, missing Bush at the dinner.
Putin began the banquet with a toast urging the assembled leaders to simply enjoy themselves. "I invite you, at the end of this day, to forget about everything," he said.
After the meal, Putin hosted an an outdoor performance at the Peterhof Palace complex that included dancers in golden costumes and face paint, mimicking the statues in the luxurious garden of the former summer residence for Russian czars.
Earlier in the day, before Bush's arrival, Putin and other presidents and prime ministers at a Russia-European Union summit pledged their commitment to closer ties, while avoiding argument over potentially divisive issues such as the conflict in the separatist Russian republic of Chechnya.
"We have a very strong partnership," European Commission President Romano Prodi said after that summit. "I told Vladimir that now we are like vodka and caviar. I don't know which is which. But it's clear each side's trade, investment, common views and consultation is increasing."
In a gesture that seemed aimed at helping to patch up the bitter divisions over Iraq, Putin praised the latest U.N. Security Council resolution that lifted sanctions on that country, calling it a compromise that returned the Iraq issue to U.N. oversight. "I think the result is good," he told reporters. "Also, I would like to note the movement of our American partners who met us halfway. President Bush contributed a great deal to this. And I would like to thank Prime Minister Tony Blair for active efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation."
Many Europeans blame the divisions in the alliance on the United States, which since the Sept. 11 attacks has become more unilateralist and more prone to use force. European critics have complained that there was no clear link between Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks, nor conclusive evidence that Saddam had stockpiled nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
Bush's speech in Krakow was designed to set the stage for the rest of his trip — the most ambitious diplomatic foray of his presidency, with the dual goals of repairing relations with Europe and making peace in the Middle East.
The best way to fight the evil of terrorism, the president said in his address, is to promote freedom and economic opportunity in regions of the world where poverty and disenfranchisement feed extremism.
"Americans know that terrorism is not defeated by military power alone," Bush said. "We believe that the ultimate answer to hatred is hope. And as we fight the forces of terror, we must also change the conditions in which terror can take root.'
At the same time, recalling World War II, the president reminded Europeans that their own history should suggest that while force should be a last resort, it is sometimes unavoidable.
"Having seen the works of evil firsthand on this continent, we must never lose the courage to oppose it everywhere," Bush said.
To that end, he argued that NATO — founded after World War II as a defensive alliance against the Soviet Union — should now become more assertive outside the borders of its members.
"NATO must show resolve and foresight to act beyond Europe, and it has begun to do so," Bush said. "A strong NATO alliance, with a broad vision of its role, will serve our security and the cause of peace."