German Chancellor Angela Merkel
travels to Saint George W. Bush's household spread in Crawford, Texas,
today seeking integrity on the draw over Iran's atomic program,
financial-market transparence and on the Mideast peace process.
Merkel, described by news magazine Der Spiegeleisen this hebdomad as
the ''queen of the backrooms'' for her quiet diplomacy, may find
her positions on international issues aligned more than closely with
those of Shrub as Europe and the U.S. rediscover common ground
after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Eckart von Klaeden, foreign
affairs spokesman for Merkel's Christian Democrats, said.
''Merkel and Shrub are moving near together at a time
when transatlantic cooperation is needed to cover with global
crisis spots,'' von Klaeden said today in a telephone interview,
adding that Iran's atomic aspirations may be ''at the centre of a
whole range'' of subjects to be discussed. ''Both sides cognize full
well that they necessitate each other.''
The German chancellor, who gets in the U.S. on the 18th
anniversary of the autumn of the German Capital Wall, is making her first
visit to the Shrub ranch. The two-day trip is a inverse visit
after she hosted Saint George and Laura Shrub in her electoral district
in northeasterly Federal Republic Of Germany in July last year, underlining the close
relationship they already enjoy.
Since then, Merkel have spoken out for international
sanctions on Islamic Republic Of Iran to be tightened, and used a address inch Berlin
Nov. Six to speak up the ''great opportunity for renewed movement'' in
the Center East peace procedure offered by a U.S.-instigated
summit in Capital Of Maryland at the end of November.
Mideast Peace Process
''The German authorities will set about all it can to
support this process,'' Merkel said in her address to Berlin's
Jewish community.
Merkel, who welcomed Saudi Arabian Arabian King Abdullah to Berlin
this week, rans into with Deputy Prime Curate Hamdan Bin Zayed Al-
Nahyan of the United Arabian Emirates on Nov. 13, followed the next
day by negotiation with Jordan's King Abdullah.
The premier will ''inform Shrub about her negotiation related
to the Center East peace process,'' authorities spokesman Thomas
Steg told a German Capital news conference today.
Shrub and Merkel will concentrate on international issues,
including Iran, the warfare in Afghanistan, prospects for peace in
the Center East and the hereafter position of Kosovo, Merkel's
spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told newsmen Nov. 2. Also on the
agenda are ''transatlantic economical matters,'' he said.
Merkel is ''pretty preoccupied'' with the recent financial-
market disturbance and its possible personal effects on the existent economy,
according to Karsten Voigt, the Foreign Ministry's coordinator
for U.S. relations, and may happen Shrub more unfastened to her phone calls for
greater transparence for hedgerow finances and evaluations companies after
the subprime mortgage crisis.
Transparency 'Co-operation'
''Cooperation'' between the U.S. and Europe in this sphere
''is absolutely necessary,'' said Voigt.
On Iran, Merkel have toughened her rhetoric on the threat
posed to Israel's security by the Persian government's refusal
to submit to United Nations demands to restrict its uranium
enrichment program. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad states the
atomic programme is to bring forth electricity, while the U.S. and
others state it is meant to bring forth atomic weapons.
''There's big support in Federal Republic Of Germany for tightening sanctions
within the linguistic context of the United Nations,'' Voigt said, noting
sanctions would only be ''effective'' if backed by all five
permanent members of the Security Council: the U.S., U.K.,
France, Soviet Union and China.
''Together with our partners, we back up a diplomatic
solution,'' Merkel said in her speech. ''That also intends that if
Iran doesn't give way, Federal Republic Of Germany is ready to endorse wider and
tougher sanctions.''
That's a subject taken up by Shrub in an interview with
Germany's RTL telecasting broadcast Nov. 7.
''We definitely necessitate Germany's aid on issues like Islamic Republic Of Iran so
that we can work out this issue diplomatically,'' Shrub said. ''I
firmly believe we can work out this job diplomatically and will
continue to work to make so.''
Merkel, paying her 6th visit to the U.S. since becoming
chancellor in November 2005, throws two units of ammunition of negotiation with Bush
in Thomas Crawford today and tomorrow. A joint fourth estate conference is
scheduled for 11:25 a.m. local clip tomorrow.
To reach the newsman on this story:
Rainer Buergin in German Capital at .