The Hindu : Blair, Schroeder discuss Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 16, 2003

International

International

Blair, Schroeder discuss Iraq

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS APRIL 15. The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on Tuesday met in Hanover to discuss the Iraq and West Asia situation. The German Government is keen to mend its diplomatic fences with the United States. Berlin proposes to move on from its role as a leading opponent of the Iraq war to one of a prominent player in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. It also has close trading and economic relations with Iran.

The German strategy is to first "drastically improve'' its diplomatic and political dialogue with Britain and make efforts to mend relations with Washington, after nine months of bruising diplomatic exchanges over Iraq. This strategy also has the support of France and Russia — as highlighted at the recent summit of French, German and Russian Government leaders in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of the European Union have agreed to draw up a "common strategy" on weapons of mass destruction. The 15 Foreign Ministers on Monday night asked Javier Solana, the E.U.' co-ordinator for foreign and security policies, to continue to work on a long-term strategy and "threat assessment'' to prevent differing perceptions among the E.U. members. Mr. Solana is widely rated as a "consensus' man on both sides of the Atlantic and has a close rapport with senior officials in the Bush administration.

Mr. Solana's team will report back to the European Foreign Ministers before the heads of Government summit in June, when the leaders will attempt to forge a "consensus'' approach with the U.S. on Iraq and other unfolding crises in West Asia, mainly relating to policy options on Syria and Iran. Mr Solana's team will also examine problems relating to export controls and strengthening the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Related Stories:
`Damascus has key questions to answer'

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Dialogue is the right solution: Powell

Restore U.N. role: India, Russia

U.S. ponders sanctions on Syria

Aid for Iraqi child

China forms quick-response system

Blair, Schroeder discuss Iraq

U.S. threats to Syria irk Russia

Basra mirrors the reality?

Scientists open the book of life

Chirac calls up Bush