Germany's Schroeder to offer Bush help in Iraq

AFP ^ | 09/18/03 | AFP

[Pikamax]

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BERLIN (AFP) - Germany is prepared to help train Iraqi police and soldiers in a sign that its differences with the United States over the US-led war are over, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder revealed.

AFP/DDP/File Photo

Schroeder told Thursday's edition of the Handelsblatt business daily that the offer stood independent of any UN resolution on Iraq (news - web sites)'s post-war reconstruction.

Schroeder is expected to meet US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

It would be the first time they have held face-to-face talks in more than a year because of their acrimonious dispute over the invasion of Iraq.

A German government spokesman said talks, although not officially confirmed as yet, are "very likely" to go ahead.

Asked if he would make an offer to Bush at the meeting, Schroeder replied: "Yes, Germany is ready to help with the training of Iraqi police.

"Iraqi military could also be trained in our army colleges. And of course, we would also pay for this, as we do everywhere we are present."

Training could take place in Germany or elsewhere, he said, but it might be dangerous within Iraq.

"I have indicated that we are ready to help with training independent of a UN resolution."

[Mon]

Ok, here it is again

As much as I miss my family, I could never live there again.

I remember the reports about the pregnant woman, they made it seem like as if the US soldiers just killed her for no reason.

My mother listens to what I have to say, correct her etc. but my sister is one that believes what is said on RTL and other anti-Bush news stations (they are so left they constantly must be falling over due to balance issues).

[longjack]

I find the situation bizarre. American allies there seem to be undercover.

I hope the Germany that was an ally can recover from the "Schröder / Fischer" era. I hope those people who support the US have their 'underground' running in high gear, ready to surge when those two are gone from the political scene.

longjack

[Mon]

As we all know the media only shows what it wants everybody to see/hear. So, supporters are rarely shown I'm sure.

I hope too that another party gets into power and that relationships will be restored to where they used to be.

My mother and step-mother to this day say: "we will never forget when the Americans came in 1945 and rescued us." My mother was a 10-year-old child in bombed out Nuremberg. (my dad has passed away, but I'm sure he would say the same).