| REUTERS HERE |
| U.S. Ambassadors Coats and Schröder on Friday in Berlin: Conciliatory gestures |
Posted on 05/10/2003 5:02:09 AM PDT by longjack
German American relations
Schröder Composes the Harmonization
by Severin Weiland
Berlin backs easing of tensions vis-à-vis Washington. With a well composed talk the chancellor touted German American relations and showed self-confidence while doing so. In the meantime, Germany is looking for a mediator role in the lifting of UN sanctions against Iraq.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In front of guests of the American Chamber of Commerce, which celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the founding of its organization in the Berlin playhouse on Friday morning, the Chancellor put a difficult balancing act for Berlin to the test: Defending his Anti-war course of the past weeks, while at the same time and returning the relations with Washington to that pragmatism which is all too characteristic of the Americans: "Never explain, Never Complain", said Gerhard Schröder, quoting an American expression. He would rather look forward, said the Chancellor, presenting himself decidedly down-to-earth.
It was a speech that was thoroughly composed. Indirect, not mentioning names, criticism of the unipolar ideas of Britain's Tony Blair, praise for George Bush Sr. and his accomplishments in the unification of Germany - however, not a word about the present American officeholder. Instead many principals. The "vigorous friendship" between the two countries and their common values withstood "occasional disagreements".
At the same time, he didn't leave any doubt that he wouldn't allow himself to be split off from France's president Jacques Chirac. For Germany, said Schröder with diplomatic refinement, close relations to Washington are exactly as important as to Paris. "Nobody should try to put Germany in the position of an absurd choice between its friendship with France and its friendship with the USA ".
Later, the former U.S. ambassador in Germany, John C. Kornblum, was downright relieved by the performance of the Chancellor. It was important for him, "To be here". Even if, the Berliner by choice emphasized, the "fundamental differences" remained standing.
Schröder's appearance in front of the Chamber of Commerce was part of a new German reconciliation offensive. Saddam Hussein has fallen, the situation as it was, as well, - In Berlin, a cool pragmatism is returning after weeks of excitement. "I think", Secretary of State Joschka Fischer stated this week in an interview with "Zeit", in view of Iraq, "that one should use the chance now." It has always been clear: "In the moment the first shot was fired the success of re-organization attempts is of vital importance for European security."
 |
|
|
|
|
|
No question: After the surprisingly fast success of the British and Americans in Iraq, the Red Green is now backing a thaw in the relations between Berlin and Washington. In a Good Will Tour, Minister of Defense Peter Struck went to Washington last weekend. There, he had, as the first high-profile German member of government after the end of the Iraq War, contact with his American counterpart Donald Rumsfeld, safety adviser Condoleezza Rice and U.S. assistant-Secretary of State Richard Armitage. That one cannot talk of normalcy, was to be seen by small, symbolic details. There weren't the usual publicity photos. Even the U.S. media hardly took notice of the German's visit.
But looking away from the important symbolic gestures, improving relations were persistently worked on. Security policy adviser from the Chancellery, Bernd Mützelburg, as well as the political director of the Foreign Ministry, Michael Schaefer, were in Washington at the same time as Struck. The high-ranking officials met with powerful Bush adviser Rice, who introduced the Germans to the first elements of a new U.S. resolution for the lifting of UN sanctions in Iraq.
Schröder had already met British Premier Tony Blair shortly after the fall of Baghdad. At the same time, Berlin is trying to have Russia and France on its side with the lifting of the still existing Iraq sanctions. After all, together the trio had pressed hard against the war. A break up, it is clear to Berlin, would only deepen the already huge loss of esteem for the Europeans in large parts of the political elite in America. So, at present, an end to the UN sanctions is promoted with gentle tones in Berlin. It's said in governmental circles in Berlin that one doesn't want "a vote on some type of conciliatory resolution". The Aim is a "consensual adoption of a resolution," which reflects the "unity of action" of the Security Council. In good German (simply said): Agreement is in the forefront.
The Americans apparently also want to prevent further damage. An agreement shall be reached with concessions to the French and Russians, who are involved in Iraqi oil transactions. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell explained to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan this week that his country is working on a draft resolution "with all our friends", counting among them "Germany, France, Russia and China".
 |
|
|
|
|
|
A visit by Powell set for next Friday in Berlin also serves for improving German-American relations. Schröder is taking on many hardships for it. Hardly back from his five day Asia trip at 6.20 Friday morning, Schröder has only a short breather. He greets the U.S. Secretary of State in the Chancellery just three and a half hours later. Apparently it was Powell's wish to meet not only with Joschka Fischer in Berlin. There was, in the Berlin version, the "request of the American Secretary of State, when possible, to meet with the Federal Chancellor." Because of the interest on the German side as well, the chancellor will accommodate this request "with pleasure", say government sources.
A possible meeting of Schröder and Bush is also on the agenda in Berlin. Contact by the two men is unavoidable anyway. After all, the two won't be able to avoid crossing paths at least twice in the coming weeks - The end of May at the large anniversary celebration in St. Petersburg, and little later during the G8 summit in Evian. France.
"Spiegel"..Schröder komponiert die Annäherung
Translated by longjack
Of course, just say everything's OK now, Gerhard, and we true-blue Americans will just forget it. You may need to brush up on "The Characteristics of Americans" 101, before W crosses your path.
Yep, "Never explain, never complain"... This is a good old American expression that's always at the tip of my tongue (I lied)..But, hey, I'm from New England..has anyone out there who lives where they talk right ever heard this?
longjack
the Chancellor put a difficult balancing act for Berlin to the test: Defending his Anti-war course of the past weeks, while at the same time and returning the relations with Washingtonz to that pragmatism which is all too characteristic of the Americans: "Never explain, Never Complain"
Ah pragmatism, that is, recognizing that a spade a spade, which is the only sin that would never have been tolerated in the "is" parsing Clinton years Europe so loved.
Somehow, I get the impression of "let's calm the cowboys down, pat their heads and hope Bush loses the 2004 election, and business will get back to usual".
I do know one German word though. Arschloch. Describes Gerhard perfectly.
Could that be why "Bush Sr." was mentioned but not our president? LOL
Never Complain, Never Explain, The Story of Henry Ford II by Victor Lasky
In any case, the phrase appears to have been uttered much earlier by Benjamin Disraeli.
Maybe that's why Schroeder thought highly of the quote. H.F. II may be his role model.
If Schroeder founded a car company could he make a "Schroeder Roader" ? It sounds cool.
On second thought, I should probably go fishing now.
longjack
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.