In the run up to the war in Iraq, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and French President Jacques Chirac made political hay of their anti-war positions. Each leader soared in popularity at home. In the U.S., those two leaders and their nations were re-classified as old Europe and relegated to a diplomatic dustbin.
But fast forward several months to George Bush delivering a message on American television for his foreign audience, and he’s saying that “we cannot let past differences interfere with present duties.” Now, as Germany and France consider their positions on a draft UN resolution seeking international assistance in Iraq, America is making nice. But once again, the nations seem some distance apart.
Guests:
Karsten Voigt, Coordinator for German-American Cooperation in the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Georges Le Guelte, director of research at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations in Paris.