Bush and Merkel Changing Face of US-German Relations

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I think Germany should remain leery of Bush's overtures toward Germany and Chancellor Merkel. He and his administration still have the "you're with us or against us" mentality. I think one need only to look at current domestic policy in the US to confirm the continuation of the black or white policy. Beware of the snake charmer. Thomas Jones, Los Angeles, USA

Bush wants to win any country which is not firm in its foreign policy and make it do his. For the last years Germany aroused respect and it will be a pity if it kneels before the US. -- cheludmila454

Chancellor Merkel absolutely deserves the credit for the vastly improved relationship between Germany and the US. She gets total respect from George Bush and here is why. She is consistent: She doesn't say one thing now and another thing later, or to a different audience. She is good-tempered and doesn't show anger when being firm. Instead she is level and steady and doesn't try to be showy. She knows how to disagree without being disagreeable -- and she does disagree, and she does hold firm and get her way. But she makes Bush feel OK about it. Bush acts like he's got more sense when he's around her. I think this lady really has good sense and a wonderful personality for her position, and is the best thing to happen to foreign policy dynamics in a long time. -- Wiley Horne, USA

Americans were going to be happy with anyone other than Schröder. People outside the United States, must understand that America and her citizens do not regret Iraq. It was a reaction to a decade-plus of hostilities from the Arab world. It may have nothing to do with Sept.11, however it allowed us to remove a long standing enemy. Americans are realizing that Europe is for itself and that only a few countries like Israel and Australia are her true allies. Americans are returning to isolation and the world is not prepared for it. -- Bryan Hobbs

The woman is too stupid to realize that she is being used by the USA. Her mind is as drab as her dress, and she is a menace to Germany's relations with the Middle East. The woman fails to realize the implications of the gas pipeline being directly laid across the Baltic to Germany. Germany needs to keep clear of all Middle East confrontations. The future of Germany, as the major power and leader in Europe, lies in the East with trade, which will lead to the reduction of German unemployment and economic salvation as the industrial giant of Europe. -- Kevin Hendstock, Australia