Iraqis Request German Business Expertise

[Kellanved]

As the transatlantic dispute over the U.S.-led war in Iraq still simmers, members of the Iraqi provisional governing council met with German leaders in an attempt to gain support for reconstruction efforts.

Pushing all differences aside, Jalal Talabani of the U.S-installed Iraqi governing council extended an open hand to German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. "We are here to open a new page in the relations between the Iraqi people and the German people," he said.

Meeting with German political leaders in Berlin on Thursday, members of the Iraqi interim governing council stressed the need to patch up bilateral relations, which have been strained as a result of Germany’s opposition to the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein.

In talks with Schröder, Talabani and council president Abdel Aziz al-Hakim pressed Germany to take on a more active role in the reconstruction of Iraq and for support in the restructuring of almost two and a half billion dollars of debt Iraq owes to Germany.

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http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,7489_A_1063893_1_A,00.html

[54anickel]

1. Well THIS doesn't fit into Shrubs plans! n/t

[BonjourUSA]

2. They said the same speech to the French gov and to Chirac three days ago