INTNL HERALD (Special)
Transcript of phone conversation between United States President George W. Bush and Mr. Bertie Ahern, President of the European Council:
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Bush: Mr. Ahab, this is George W. Bush!
Ahern: Who?
Bush: George Bush... you know... the President.
Ahern: Where are you calling from sir?
Bush: Well, I'm down here at the ranch in Crawford right now. How's the weather down there in Europe?
Ahern---muffled voice speaking to assistant: "It's that idiot Bush!"
Ahern: Just fine, President Bush. How may I help you today?
Bush: Uhh... well... you know Bertie, I don't get much support from unions and most of those union leaders are a bunch of left wing Democrats, but I was thinkin' I might do better in the November elections if I joined some kind of union. You know? Well, anyway, I was just wonderin' how much your union dues are and... uhhh... if I could join your European Union?
Ahern: You want to join the European Union?
Bush: Yeah, if that's OK.
Ahern: President Bush, have you ever visited Europe?
Bush: Uhhh, I don't think so, but I have a postcard from my Dad when he went there. He liked that country, but he got sick and threw up... right at the dinner table.
Ahern: You mean Japan, Mr. President.
Bush: Yeah, that's right: Japan! Europe is part of that, right?
Ahern: Mr. President, why don't you phone Colin Powell and speak with him about this. He knows a lot about Europe.
Bush: Uhh... OK... that's right... my Dad told me to run that kind of stuff by Colin before I get on the phone with strangers. Well, Bertie, it's been great talkin' with ya'. Y'all take care now.
Ahern: Have a good day Mr. President.
