Howard Dean told European Socialist leaders
Body: U.S. Democrat leader Dean tells Europe his party wants to rebuild relations
The Associated PressPublished: December 8, 2006


PORTO, Portugal: U.S. Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean told European Socialist leaders Friday his party intended to restore close political ties with the continent.

Democrats now "have a say" in U.S. policy after last month's midterm elections brought them control of both houses of the U.S. Congress, Dean said in a speech to a congress of Europe's center-left parties in northern Portugal.

Those parties were among the most sharply critical of the war in Iraq.

"It is time for the United States to renew our relationships around the world. It is time we treat our allies with respect and honesty," Dean said.

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Dean also pledged to do more on environmental issues, which were a central theme at the two-day conference that began Thursday.

"The European Union has led the way in understanding how dangerous global warming is, and America should be your partner," Dean said.


Democrats will not pursue protectionist trade policies, he said, but added, "We also believe that enforceable labor standards with our trading partners in the developing world are essential to preserving both globalization and democracy."


The more than 300 delegates at the meeting gave Dean warm applause.

"I see a new America now, under Democratic leadership," said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, president of the Party of European Socialists, a center-left umbrella organization


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