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| Schroeder back in White House after Two Years |
| 2004-02-26 |
| EFL Kicking off a two-day visit to the U.S., German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder sought to put differences over the Iraq war in the past. Instead he focused on imbalances in the global economy and the weak dollar. A red herring because everybody knows it’s (mostly) the economy which determines a weak or strong dollar, not the president. The last time Schröder was in the White House was two years ago. I would like to know whether Schroeder really promised Bush then that he wouldn’t make Iraq a campaign issue for the German elections. If he did I understand that Bush was angry. Since then Germany vehemently opposed the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein and along with France spearheaded the "old Europe" campaign protesting military involvement in Iraq without a U.N. mandate. Which was certainly the worst decision in foreign politics that a German chancellor has ever made in the last 50 years. It seems to dawn on him though. In the past several months, however, the rhetoric -- if not the position -- in Berlin has softened and the first signs of an improvement in transatlantic ties are on the horizon. Even German social democrats are realists... occasionally. Funny that they learned this from the Greens. Now at the start of a two-day whirlwind tour of the U.S., Schröder has made every effort to appear reconciliatory. To be fair, Bush has been as well and I hope it’s not just to counter Kerry’s claime to be the better international "statesman". Bush is a realist, too, and taking on France is easier without the Germans causing too much trouble. Speaking at the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday, the chancellor said he did not intend to dwell in the past, but rather wanted to look forward together with the Americans. Yes, don’t think too much about matches you have lost. The German-American relationship is a "trusting partnership among friends" he said, and as such each side must learn to accept differences and work together. Because of Mr. Schroeder the trust has suffered, I hope our next government can fully restore it. Germany remains firm in its refusal to send troops to Iraq, he announced ahead of Friday’s meeting in Washington with President Bush. That’s about the last election promise of 2002 that Schroeder hasn’t broken yet. At the same time Schröder said Berlin would not stand in the way of a NATO mission. Do you get points for not being stupid for a change? He also renewed his offer to help ease Iraq’s mounting debt as part of any wider agreement in the 19-nation Paris Club of creditor nations. Wise move, there wasn’t a chance in hell Germany would have recovered the Deutschmarks given to Saddam before Gulf War I, and the German economy knew that already. "Germany is ready to cooperate, but our readiness to cooperate naturally has limits," the chancellor told NDR radio in Germany before heading to the U.S. "We’ve got nothing to give away, but we’re ready to consider substantial debt relief." We’re not broke yet but we better fix a lot of things damn soon. Putting the discussion of Germany’s contribution to Iraq momentarily aside, the main thrust of Schröder’s Thursday speech was economic in nature. With the euro trading at an all-time high against the dollar, the German leader warned that further shifts in the exchange rate could seriously harm European trade interests. It’s been 5 cents off the high mark since then and actually I don’t think that the Euro will break through the 1.30$ mark anytime soon. We’re more likely to see 1,15-1,25 $ for the next months. In unusually direct terms, Schröder said the weak U.S. dollar poses dangers for world trade and could hinder economic growth. Nevertheless Germany is Number 1 again in exporting goods although the strong Euro does hurt in the long run. $1,20 looks acceptable though, $1,30 would be painful. |
| Posted by:True German Ally |
| #10 How 'bout if TGA replaces Herr Schroeder? |
| Posted by: Steve White 2004-2-26 11:40:08 PM |
| #9 TGA, who do you like to replace Herr Schroeder? I'm sure you've given the matter some thought. |
| Posted by: Matt 2004-2-26 11:20:27 PM |
| #8 B... exactly. And certain ads comparing Bush with .... ummm other politicians were not run in Germany, but on a website endorsed by Democrats. We'll see to what measures Kerry will go when the race for the White House becomes unwinnable. Oh, btw, Germans politicians are realists... they plan for Bush, not Kerry. And WE will send a congratulation telegram ;-) |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-2-26 10:04:18 PM |
| #7 TGA ...fair points. I suppose it's not so different in Germany than it is here. We have our Gore/Kerry supporters just like you do your Schroeder fans. I suppose times change as circumstances change...and Schroeder's just a product of his time. |
| Posted by: B 2004-2-26 9:31:40 PM |
| #6 1) Friends can have differences, or can't they? 2) He'd be the first politician who comes with his head in his hands. 3) See #2 for the limits. But don't worry: SPD/Greens might survive until 2006 but Schroeder won't survive 2004. In the upcoming regional elections (plentiful this year) the SPD will be hammered... I expect he'll resign in a few months. Actually I bet on it. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-2-26 8:16:40 PM |
| #5 1. The German-American relationship is a "trusting partnership among friends" he said, and as such each side must learn to accept differences and work together. 2. Germany remains firm in its refusal to send troops to Iraq, he announced ahead of Friday’s meeting in Washington with President Bush 3. Germany is ready to cooperate, but our readiness to cooperate naturally has limits," Wow! Where does all the optimism come from?? Three strikes and you're out Schroeder. Improved relations? Well...I suppose that when cat's don't scratch a dogs face or the dog doesn't rip a cat to shreds (and we're the dog, btw) - it's "improved relations". GW just loved Schroeder so much, he gave him a three finger salute as he left. We'll see how long Schroeder can continue to tell us to **&^ off and still maintain his credibility. |
| Posted by: B 2004-2-26 8:07:37 PM |
| #4 Next week Chirac will be over to have a look at those "outsourced French jobs" at Nissan in Mississippi. |
| Posted by: john 2004-2-26 6:38:00 PM |
| #3 Thought he might have been over here studying those "outsourced German jobs" at the US BMW and Mercedes plants...Funny how Kerry and more importantly Edwards ignores that business reality when spreading there doom and gloom... |
| Posted by: Capsu78 2004-2-26 5:59:44 PM |
| #2 TGA's platform is getting clearer every day. ;> |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-26 5:47:18 PM |
| #1 Glad Germany getting its head together always did like them,the French however.:) |
| Posted by: djohn66 2004-2-26 5:43:04 PM |