Bush, Schroeder focus on positive
MAINZ, Germany – President Bush seems to be doing a role reversal with Germany and Russia.
Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, long at odds over Iraq, went out of their way to exchange pleasantries Wednesday, a day before a potentially testy meeting with “good friend” Vladimir Putin over the pace of democracy in Russia.
As war protesters shouted “Go Home Bush” outside a 17th century palace, the American president and Schroeder played down differences over Iraq, NATO and global warming. They voiced common cause on Middle East peace and insisted that the United States and Europe work together to force Iran to forgo nuclear weapons.
“I would call Germany a partner in peace and a partner in freedom and a partner of doing our duty,” Bush said after his meeting with Schroeder.
The president also spoke with U.S. troops at nearby Wiesbaden Army Airfield.
Signs of reconciliation between the American and German political leaders abounded.
During the arrival ceremony, Bush and Schroeder shook hands with 20 troops who fought the post-Sept. 11 war in Afghanistan – 10 Americans and 10 Germans.
The relationship between this President Bush and Schroeder turned particularly nasty during the run-up to the Iraq invasion.
On Wednesday, Schroeder said the “intense discussion” with Bush included their disagreement over climate change. Bush reiterated his objection to the Kyoto global warming treaty but said he wanted to work with Germany and others on new technologies to reduce pollution.
The German leader has also proposed possible changes to NATO. Arguing recently that NATO is “no longer the primary venue where transatlantic partners discuss and coordinate strategies,” Schroeder called for a new panel that would involve the European Union.
Asked about NATO after his summit with Bush, Schroeder joked, “we want to focus on where we do agree.”
Bush said he appreciated the “spirit” in which Schroeder spoke, adding, “I interpreted the comments to mean he wants NATO to be relevant.”
As for Iran, Schroeder said he “must say ‘no’ to any kind of nuclear weapon,” to which Bush later said the Iranians “were caught enriching uranium after they had signed a treaty saying they wouldn’t enrich uranium.”
When the topic of Iraq surfaced, Schroeder noted that Germany is helping train Iraqi police and security forces; Bush lauded Germany’s “vital contribution.”