November 09, 2007
Iran On Tap For Merkel's First Visit To The Ranch
Completing this week's U.S.-Old Europe bonding experience, German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Texas today to discuss a host of global issues in the rustic setting of the Bush family ranch.
Like President Bush's meeting with new French President Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this week, the Bush-Merkel talks will hinge primarily on Iran, as the president seeks to shore up U.S. allies against Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told Reuters that "strategically," Merkel and the Bush administration "see eye-to-eye" in opposing Iran's plans to develop nuclear technology. "Tactically, there are some slight differences," he said, adding that the discussions this weekend are part of an ongoing effort and aren't likely to yield any major developments.
Merkel is no softie on Iran, but Bush is seeking stronger commitments from allies to take a hard line against Tehran if it continues to defy orders to stop its nuclear program. In its preview of her visit this weekend, Germany's Der Spiegel notes that Germans are concerned about the Bush administration's perceived "saber-rattling" on Iran. Calling Merkel "the queen of the backroom deal," the magazine writes that "German politicians at both ends of the political spectrum will expect her to voice clear opposition to further military escapades" when she meets with Bush.
Afghanistan should also be a major point of discussion, as Germany is one of a handful of NATO allies that has limited its presence in the volatile country as the U.S.-led coalition continues to fight Taliban insurgents there. In an interview with German reporters earlier this week, Bush brushed off criticisms of those allies made by other members of his administration. "I'm just so pleased that Germany is contributing forces there to help this Afghan democracy," he said. "These contributions are meaningful and some countries are able to take on different assignments."
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Eckart von Klaeden, foreign affairs spokesman for Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party, said, "Merkel and Bush are moving closer together at a time when transatlantic cooperation is needed to deal with global crisis spots.... Both sides know full well that they need each other."
Other issues on the table in Crawford this weekend, according to Reuters, are the Iraq war, climate change, Myanmar and the Doha round of trade talks.
Bush also plans to give Merkel and her husband, Joachim Sauer, a tour of the ranch. In a profile this week, Time notes that the scholarly Sauer generally steers clear of his wife's duties as head of state, but appears to have a soft spot for the Bushes and America in general. His presence at the ranch may also help ward off any, er, mishaps that could occur in the relaxed environment of the Texas countryside.
Posted at 3:33 PM
Posted to:
Afghanistan, Bush Administration, Europe, Germany, Iran, Middle East, President Bush
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