GERMAN Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met his conservative rival Angela Merkel on the weekend amid reports he was ready to concede defeat and allow her to become chancellor. The political stalemate caused by inconclusive elections three weeks earlier appeared to be nearing a solution, but no decision will be announced until Monday (local time). Ms Merkel and Mr Schroeder were to hold a further meeting after the outcome of Sunday's talks had been put to their respective party leaderships. The leaders maintained their promise not to comment after Sunday's discussions, just as they stayed silent after their first leadership summit on...