And "Yes" and "No" and "No."

Evita shone gloriously in rhetoric as a visiting second-rate leader. She was feted by everyone, but a snubbing by the English and her own illness struck down the optimistic tenor of the "Rainbow Tour."

Like Evita's tour, Bush's own "triumphant" tour of Eastern and Western Europe was just as rhetorical, just as optimistic and just as indicative of his relative lack of power in the world political scene.

WHEN given the opportunity in Poland and Hungary to reward the first signs of democratization in two socialist countries, crowds cheered him during his speeches. But Bush's initiatives failed to impress.

His aid package to the heavilyindebted Polish economy has been described most favorably as "modest." He is Poland's friend, too--Solidarity leader Lech Walesa felt humble serving Bush a meal in his home. But Bush has done little to help the Polish economy recover from its sorry state.

When given the opportunity to reassert America's dominance in the world economic system, Bush deferred to Japan. At the summit meeting in France of the world's seven leading industrialized countries, it was the Japanese who strode to the forefront when they announced a comprehensive aid package for Third World countries.

And Bush later in the meeting deferred to Gorbachev, whose letter asking for inclusion in future summits with the most advanced industrial economies stole the headlines in papers around the world.

Once again, Bush was everyone's friend, especially after a shortened press conference when he escorted the media through the U.S. embassy residence in Paris.

Let's hear it for the Friendship Tour,

It's been an incredible success.

We weren't quite sure,

We had a few doubts.

Would George win through?

But the answer is

"Yes" in rhetoric,

"No" in substance.