Posted on 11/03/2009 5:38:31 AM PST by markomalley
German Chancellor Andrea Merkel will address a joint session of Congress today, becoming only the second chancellor to do so.
Merkel is expected to speak about climate change, transatlantic relations and the downfall of Communism in Europe. It was announced that Merkel, who was reelected to a second four-year term in September, would address Congress last month.
The chancellor will also meet with President Barack Obama at the White House before the speech. The two are likely to discuss the war in Afghanistan and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The two nations do not necessarily see eye-to-eye on the subjects despite that Merkel and Obama have a good relationship. The U.S. would kike Germany to send more troops to Afghanistan, an unpopular proposition there. Obama would also like to impose tighter economic sanctions on Iran, which is a trading partner with Germany.
The first German chancellor to address Congress was Konrad Adenauer in 1957.
Merkel is likely to press the president to provide robust U.S. support for a climate deal at the Copenhagen conference next month.
"The world will be watching Copenhagen," she said in a video message this weekend, according to the BBC. "The fight against climate change is one of the most urgent tasks worldwide."
Middle East peace, financial reform and global economic recovery will also likely be on the agenda.
After bemoaning Soviet Socialism, Merkel will herald international climate change legislation as the beginning of green socialism.
Wonderful.
I had such high hopes for her.....
The name in the first line of the article should be Angela Merkel.
Andrea is her evil twin.
Her campaigns are the most boring anyone can remember... she celebrated her new term as chancellor with a lunch of potato soup and sausages ... She is, if you like, the anti-Obama: zero charisma, zero glamour, beige pantsuits and a spouse who rarely appears in public.
Europe Must Stop ‘Fetishizing’ American Relationship
“Toward a Post-American Europe,”
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King’s horses and all the Kings Men ...are putting Humpty Dumpty together again!
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,658746,00.html
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