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U.S. Challenges Germany's Stance On Iraq

August 21, 2002

Since Sept. 11, Germany has often spoken of "unlimited solidarity" with the U.S. But its criticism of a U.S. strike against Iraq has led to a diplomatic row between the two nations.

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President George W. Bush and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder were all smiles when Bush visited last May -- at least publicly.Image: AP

European criticism of the U.S. government has become a routine part of political life. Warnings from abroad about an over-hasty war against Iraq are usually noted by the White House without further comment.

But recent statements made by German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder appear to have ruffled quite a few feathers in Washington. German troops will not take part in an invasion, with or without a U.N. mandate, and German money must not be used to assist those who pursue the aim, Schröder has said.

Schröder recently described a possible military action against Iraq as "adventurism".

This appears to have gone one step too far for Washington. President George W. Bush sent his ambassador in Berlin, Daniel Coats, to the Chancellery last week to express the U.S.' displeasure -- a highly unusual diplomatic procedure among close allies.

Who said what

Even more unusual, however, are conflicting reports of what actually happened during the meeting with senior Chancellery officials.

Both sides are presenting different versions of who said what during the discussion between Coats, Chancellery Chief of Staff Frank Walter and security policy adviser Dieter Kastrup. The ambassador did not speak directly with Schröder.

The German government initially said Coats had just asked for clarification of the German position on Iraq. But Coats has publicly denied this in the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Tuesday, saying he had solely presented the U.S. side of the story -- a version that has taken the Germans by surprise.

Coats said he had expressed American displeasure at the words chosen by Schröder in the days leading up to, and those following, the official launch of his re-election campaign. Washington found the Chancellor's accusation of "adventurism" with regard to Iraq policy inappropriate.

The U.S. was also angered that Schröder alleged Washington was politically near-sighted and not considering the consequences of an attack.

Solidarity, yes; war, no

Schröder told German public radio over the weekend that a new conflict couldn't be defined without first finding a political solution for peace in the entire Middle East region. "And we are far from that," he said.

But he added that this had no influence on the "unlimited solidarity" Germany promised after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"One just has to differentiate between our natural duty as allies and thus the assistance due, and what is currently being discussed in reference to Iraq," Schröder said.