U.N. Saw Bush Speech as 'Campaign Stop' 
Stewart Stogel, NewsMax.com
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 

United Nations -- As the annual General Assembly gets underway in New York City, the Bush administration continues to find itself the subject of quiet criticism by the international community.

It is no secret that many in the international community are waiting for the results of upcoming presidential election, looking forward to a change in the White House. Many delegates called the Bush U.N. visit no more than a campaign stop. 
The less than enthusiastic anticipation of the presidential visit was not lost on the White House. 
So, the administration took a decidedly lower key in its approach to this year's General Assembly. 
No lines in the sand in the Bush address this year. No you are with us or against us, in his GA address. 
In a speech running less than 30 minutes, Bush delivered what many characterized as a low-keyed lecture. 
The cavernous U.N. hall was standing room only, with many delegates spending time taking notes as one would in a university address. 
The audience was just as quiet. 
There was little, if any, applause throughout the speech, just a little pro-forma react at the beginning and at the end. Even that was restrained. 
First Lady Laura Bush was seated with Nane Annan, wife of U.N. chief Kofi Annan. While Bush smiled throughout the address, Annan often seemed uncomfortable and as the president concluded his speech, she noticeably strained for some mild applause. 
Other delegates, including the foreign ministers of Russia, the Palestinians, France and Sudan sat stone faced during the Bush speech. 
One proposal made by the president, a new democracy fund to be used to finance the establishment of government institutions in impoverished third-world nations, surprisingly received a cold reception from the U.N. audience. 
The threat that the international community would refuse to recognize any Palestinian government that does not fight terrorism also got a cold shoulder from the diplomats. 
Leaving the U.N., Bush, flanked by secretary of state Colin Powell and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, refused reporters requests for comments. 
Before returning to the White House on Wednesday, Bush will host a private evening reception for the visiting VIP's. 
The president will also hold private meetings with numerous world dignitaries while in NYC. 
Among those on the Bush agenda are the presidents of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
The prime ministers of Japan, India and Iraq will also meet Bush while in New York.