Bush tells Europe: our fight is not over

President Geroge Bush arrived in Berlin yesterday to begin a week-long European tour on which he is expected to make a ringing appeal for greater support from his transatlantic allies in waging America's war against international terrorism.

The highlight of President Bush's 19-hour stopover in the German capital was scheduled to be a keynote address to the Reichstag today – the first ever delivered by an American president. He will then leave for Moscow and a summit with President Putin.

Mass street protests against the "warmonger" Bush administration were held in Berlin and across Germany for a second day yesterday. However before leaving Washington President Bush reaffirmed his commitment to fighting terrorism.

"I will remind my friends that this war is by no means over yet," he said. "Many may wish that the threat would simply disappear by itself, but we will have to act".

President Bush is expected to use his speech to the Reichstag to call for a "collective effort" from Europe to meet what he has described as the "changed nature of the threat" posed by international terrorism. "The United States cannot win the war against terrorism alone," he said.

But there is growing concern within Chancellor Schröder's government about Mr Bush's plans for Iraq. The Chancellor, who was scheduled to dine with President Bush at a restaurant close to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, said he intended to use the visit to "find out more about American intentions in Iraq."

Downtown Berlin – including the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building and the Adolon Hotel – resembled a fortress as high security greeted 11,000 anti-Bush protesters yesterday.

Chancellor Schröder insisted that President Bush was "most welcome" in the capital. "During more critical times, it was the Americans who upheld the right to freedom of speech in Berlin. Those protesting now should remember that," he added.