Following Prime Minister Tony Blair's keynote foreign affairs speech in London, November 15, the cross-cultural communications and training consultancy, Kwintessential, has offered support to his calls for America and President Bush to move towards "multilateralism."

Referring to the chances of improving ties between Washington and Europe, Blair commented that, "None of this will work unless America too reaches out." George W. Bush has long been viewed in Europe as a President unacquainted with world views and certainly one who is unwilling to accommodate those that differ to his own. As a result, his unilateral policies have caused resentment abroad.

As a company established on the ethos of bridging gaps between people through cross-cultural understanding, Kwintessential is now offering Bush free cross-cultural training classes to help him bridge the gulf caused over issues such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Kyoto - especially with Europe and the Muslim world.

Cross-cultural training is usually provided to international businesses and organizations that need assistance in meeting the challenges of multiculturalism either in the workplace or with external affairs. Cross-cultural training promotes effective communication between peoples by helping them understand the values, ethics, customs, communication styles and etiquette of others. By highlighting areas of common ground and exposing those which can lead to problems, cross-cultural training builds bridges and creates spaces of mutual understanding.

Kwintessential hopes its training can be of benefit to Bush and, as a consequence, the world. "We are keen to see a war on terror but not the kind being waged at the moment. Cross-cultural ignorance is also a terror of sorts as it leads to rash decisions based upon poor understanding and misperceptions. When this occurs in the political field, the consequences can be grave," explained Kwintessential director, Neil Payne.

Keen to help both Bush and Blair in repairing some of the cross-cultural damage caused by recent political unilateralism, Kwintessential is now extending its assistance to Bush by offering him free cross-cultural training courses.

"Yes we are deadly serious. President Bush has full access to our cross-cultural training courses for free. We will design and tailor any course he requires to his specifications, whether it is cross-cultural dialogue with Muslims, the French or Germans. We will even come to the White House as long as tea is provided," confirmed Payne.

Although possibly tongue-in-cheek, the offer does draw attention to some serious points with regards to the mentality of isolationism and cultural insensitivity embodied in the Bush administration. If Bush takes up Kwintessential's offer, cross-cultural understanding may help build bridges in the political sphere.

More information on Kwintessential and its services is available at 'http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cross-cultural/cross-cultural-awareness.html' or by calling Neil Payne at +44 208 406 9288.