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| German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomes U.S. President George W. Bush at Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt Feb. 23. (Reuters) |
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| Bush gives a thumbs up after his arrival at Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt Febr. 23. Bush arrived in Germany on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on a range of thorny issues from climate change and Iran to a controversial German call to overhaul NATO. (Reuters) |
BERLIN, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush arrived in Germany on Wednesday for a visit which aimed at reconciling transatlantic differences.
Bush is scheduled to meet German leader Gerhard Schroeder in the historic city of Mainz later in the day to discuss ways to improve bilateral ties, tensions with Iran, the reconstruction of Iraq and reform of NATO.
Schroeder, a fierce critic of the US invasion of Iraq, is expected to stress Germany's support for US-led peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan during the meeting.
An article by Schroeder in a German newspaper has highlighted the US-German partnership in the "fight against terrorism, against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, against poverty and epidemics such as Aids".
The US president is also scheduled to visit a US military base in Wiesbaden to promote morale among troops.
Bush will travel to Slovakia on Thursday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Enditem
Schroeder sees hope for peace in Mideast
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| German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Wednesday after meeting with US President George W. Bush that "hopeful signals" could be seen for peace in the Middle East. (Reuters) |
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| German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomes U.S. President George W. Bush Feb. 23. Schroeder said Wednesday after meeting with US President George W. Bush that "hopeful signals" could be seen for peace in the Middle East. (AFP) |
BERLIN, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Wednesday after meeting with US President George W. Bush that "hopeful signals" could be seen for peace in the Middle East.
"There are more than hopes for peace in the region," said Schroeder, referring to peace efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Schroeder emphasized the vital role of the United States in resolving the decades-long conflict, saying peace in the region could only be reached with the help of the US.
On Iraq, Schroeder said that although Germany is training Iraqi security officers in the United Arab Emirates, German forces will not enter Iraq.
On the Iranian nuclear issue, the German leader said he was "delighted" that the US backs EU efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program.
"We will work with them to convince the mullahs that they need to give up their nuclear ambitions," he said.
After his 90-minute summit meeting with Schroeder in the western German city of Mainz, Bush said: "It's vital that the Iranians hear the world speak with one voice that they should not have a nuclear weapon."
Bush also demanded that Syria withdraw all its troops from Lebanon. "The position of our government is that Syria must withdraw not only the troops, but its secret services from Lebanon," he said. Enditem
Germany, US differ over Kyoto Protocol
BERLIN, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and US President George W. Bush failed to reach a consensus on Wednesday on the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas output.
The two sides still hold different opinions on the pact, said Schroeder at a joint press conference with the visiting US President, referring to the US' refusal to sign the protocol.
However, the United States has expressed willingness to cooperate on this issue, he said, adding that "this is an improvement that people can't underestimate."
Both sides have decided to strengthen their cooperation on this issue, said Schroeder. Enditem | 
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