LONDON — The Group of Eight summit in Evian, France, cost a great deal in terms of time, effort and money. Was it worth it? Critics argue that nothing worthwhile emerged from the summit, that the communiques that had been drafted in advance were generally platitudinous and flatulent.
U.S. President George W. Bush showed his contempt for the whole affair and for French President Jacques Chirac, in particular, by leaving before the end of the meeting and spending less than 24 hours in France. Even the photo opportunities often left the impression that relations between the leaders were less than cordial.
The meeting, as usual, attracted antiglobalization protesters, anarchists and troublemakers who, having been prevented from getting anywhere near Evian, caused trouble and damage in Geneva — which is in Switzerland.