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The Secretary Hits the Road

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice finished a whirlwind tour of Europe and the Middle East last week. She traveled to eight European countries, Israel and the West Bank.

The seven-day trip was Rice's first as the nation's top diplomat. It gave her the chance to meet with leaders--and mend some fences. "It is time to open a new chapter in our relationship and a new chapter in our alliance," she told an audience in Paris, France. The U.S. and France have disagreed about the U.S. war in Iraq.

As the end of her visit approached, Rice seemed pleased. "It's been a really great conversation," she said Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium. "I feel very good about what we've done."

The trip paved the way for President George W. Bush. He will visit Europe from February 22 to 25.

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