Disaster complicates Bush policy challenges

Over the next two months, US President George W. Bush faces a daunting array of challenges around the world 8212; complicated by Asia8217;s tsunami disaster 8212; that will be pivotal in determining how much momentum he can generate for the ambitious agenda of his second term.

The new 350 million pledge for tsunami relief will eat up virtually the entire US disaster relief budget and the President has said further US contributions will be needed. The administration plans to go to Congress for more money to fund aid for the tsunami and other disasters this year.

Because of the rushing pace of events in West Asia, Russia, Europe and Asia, Bush cannot afford to wait until his inauguration in three weeks to set the tone for the next year. Palestinian polls and Iraq will stretch him throughout January. Bush then heads for Europe next month for a tete-a-tete with Vladimir Putin, with whom White House has had chilly relations because of Iraq and Ukraine. 8216;8216; The Mideast elections and Bush8217;s trips to Europe will set the tone and produce the moment that will carry us through later in the administration,8217;8217; a senior State Department official said.