NEWS: Democracy Quest: Germany

service.spiegel.de
After Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit three weeks ago, the prevailing thinking in Berlin was that the charm offensive would not translate into policy changes. That, certainly, is one reason why Schroeder put forth his much-criticized idea regarding NATO reform, a plan that would ostensibly shift power in the managing the trans-Atlantic relationship from NATO to the EU in Brussels.

Schroeder's speech sparked a strong sense of alienation across the pond, particularly in conservative American circles. The Wall Street Journal went so far as to accuse Schroeder of seeking to sabotage Bush's trip.

...The mantra of the day was: "We have common goals." The phrase was repeated tirelessly throughout the approximately 20-minute press conference. Indeed, the two agree that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons. Both care about what Bush called "the quality of our air." Both want Iraq to be rebuilt. And both have tough words for Syria. Bush said he "fully" understands "the limitations of the German contribution" in Iraq. Schroeder announced a mutual desire to "deepen cooperation" on questions of the environment, "irrespective of the question as to whether Kyoto is the right tool to be using or not."

The two may insist that their goals are alike, but in truth their ideas about how to achieve those goals differ greatly. And while the words they share with each other in friendly press conferences are increasingly endearing, they disagree on how to handle almost every push-button issue. Each gap provides potential fodder for future trans-Atlantic strife. The atmosphere may be good, but the fact is, after four days of "listening" in Europe, Bush has not fundamentally changed.




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