Re: Schröders Sinneswandel? Oder Einsicht seiner Dummheit?
Geschrieben von Guerrero am 20. April 2003 01:48:14:
Als Antwort auf: NACHRICHTEN: (o.T.) geschrieben von franz_liszt am 20. April 2003 00:50:33:
Schroeder Regrets Words That Hit U.S.-German Ties
Sat Apr 19,12:08 PM ET Add World - Reuters to My Yahoo!
By Erik Kirschbaum
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Saturday he deeply regretted "exaggerated remarks" critical of U.S. moves against Iraq (news - web sites) that soured his relations with President Bush (news - web sites).
In a further attempt to repair U.S.-German relations strained by his outspoken criticism, Schroeder said he was confident the dispute over Iraq would not cause long-term problems between the two countries.
"I deeply regret there were exaggerated comments -- also from cabinet members of my previous government," Schroeder told Der Spiegel magazine when asked if there were "grounds for self-criticism" for damage he caused to U.S.-German relations.
The declaration was the furthest Schroeder has gone in trying to mend fences with the U.S.
He and his center-left government had criticized U.S. steps against Iraq right up until the war started. In early April, Schroeder began making a slow retreat, saying for the first time he hoped U.S.-led forces would win the war quickly.
Last week he said: "It is always good for mankind when a dictator is removed."
In speeches in his re-election campaign last year, Schroeder derided plans to attack Iraq as a military "adventure" that would "set ablaze" the Middle East, and angered Washington by refusing to send German troops to Iraq under any conditions.
Schroeder said Germany would not "click its heels" and follow the United States into a war.
His stinging criticism of the Bush government, including accusations it changed the goal of disarming Iraq to one of overthrowing President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), was hugely popular in Germany and helped Schroeder come from far behind in surveys to beat challenger Edmund Stoiber in the September election.
Tensions were further worsened just before the election when Schroeder's Justice Minister Herta Daeubler-Gmelin reportedly compared Bush's political tactics with those of Adolf Hitler -- an analogy she partially denied. Schroeder accepted her resignation shortly after winning a second term.
But Schroeder's sharp language sent the traditionally close relations between the world's first and third largest economic powers into a tailspin. Commentators in Germany called the last eight months an "ice age." Bush Administration officials have called the ties "poisoned."
SCHROEDER'S U-TURN
Bush pointedly did not congratulate Schroeder on his narrow victory. The two have not spoken since November. German media have reported Bush has declined to take calls from Schroeder.Ja ja, Schröder, du (D)Goofi.
Saludos
Guerrero