Europeans Toast Powell With Farewell Gifts

[Rose Siding]

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Colin Powell's NATO colleagues brewed up some festive cheer for the departing secretary of state, presenting him with some fine European beer as a farewell gift Thursday.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer sent a case of his homeland's renowned Pilsener to Powell, perhaps to toast the improving relations between the two countries after last year's ugly dispute over Iraq.

Powell said it was not the first time he'd had such a gift.

"It is a little joke that Joschka and I have played on each other for several years," Powell told a news conference.

"I expressed my admiration for German flip-top beer one day, the kind with the little top that pops off and Joschka sent me a case. I enjoyed it very much, and the next time I saw him, since he's a member of the Greens Party, I gave him the empties back."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-nato-powells-farewell,0,5229649.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[Benhurst]

1. It's so comforting to know that even war criminals have a

human side.

[NC_Nurse]

2. Did they give him his integrity back?

His credibility?

I didn't think so. :eyes: