Embassy Row

Germans look forward

Germany wants the United States to forget their dispute over the war in Iraq and build stronger bilateral relations, a senior German diplomat said yesterday.

“We would like to open a new chapter in our relations,” Klaus Scharioth, Germany’s deputy foreign secretary, told reporters at a breakfast meeting.

The dispute, which began when German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder bashed the Bush administration during Mr. Schroeder’s election campaign, is “water under the bridge,” Mr. Scharioth said.

In meetings this week with Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage and National Security Council officials, he said he had delivered a message of reconciliation.

“We should look forward to common challenges,” Mr. Scharioth said, adding that he had received “positive responses” from U.S. officials.

“They were in agreement. They were useful talks,” he added.

Mr. Scharioth pledged Germany’s continued strong support in the war against terrorism and urged Washington to ensure that the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq succeeds.

“The number one issue facing our countries is terrorism,” he said, adding that the international coalition must prevent terrorist networks, such as Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda, from ever establishing a base in another nation.

“We have to keep this broad-based coalition together,” Mr. Scharioth said.

He said the United States and its allies must not only win the war, but also win the peace.

“We have to win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, the Arab world,” he said.

Mr. Scharioth also said Europe will work with the United States to “develop a common security strategy” aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, among other goals.

“This has to be urgently done,” he said, expressing hopes that a high-level delegation from the European Union will begin security talks during a Washington visit next week.

Story Continues →