Merkel and that visit

[malaise]

All is not as rosy as Bush and Condi would have people believe
<snip>
Although Mrs Merkel has shifted from her predecessor by stressing the importance of a US-led Nato, she ruled out sending German troops to Iraq. Shortly before her visit, she criticised the US prison in Cuba, saying: "Guantanamo cannot and should not exist in the long term. Ways must be found to handle prisoners differently."

Surveys show that among the 72 per cent of Europeans opposed to US foreign policy, Germany tops the bill, with 83 per cent of the people at odds with President Bush.

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article338475.ece

[Nutmegger]

1. Too bad Schroeder is out

Although Merkel is more "US-friendly", Schroeder was totally outspoken against our policies.. We need more countries to stand up to the bully, not side with them.

[JDPriestly]

2. Merkel was trying charm.

When she finds it doesn't work, she'll become as strong an opponent as Schroeder was. I think Bush expected her to be a pushover and was shocked when she stood up for herself.