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US wants new German govt to give more help to Iraq
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-14 22:45
The United States signalled that it is seeking further help for Iraq from
Germany's new government ahead of a vote in the country's parliament next week
which is expected to see Angela Merkel succeed Gerhard Schroeder as chancellor,
a senior US official said on Monday.
Daniel Fried, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs, said the government change in Berlin was a chance for the United States
and Germany to move beyond their differences over Iraq.
"We hope Germany will be able to continue the direction it has gone and do
even more to support the Iraqi government and the emerging democratic
institutions in Iraq," Fried told the press after a day of talks with German
officials.
Washington hoped Germany, which is helping train Iraqi securityforces outside
the violence-plagued country, would provide more help through "various
channels," Fried said
Fried declined to be more specific about the help the United States was
seeking, but he ruled out the possibility of a US request for German combat
troops to be sent to Iraq.
The United States will also seek closer cooperation with Germany on issues
including Iran and Afghanistan, said Fried.
The German parliament is expected to elect leader Angela Merkelas Schroeder's
successor on Nov. 22.
Merkel is to head a "grand coalition" of her conservatives and Schroeder's
Social Democrats and is pledging to seek a "close, trusting relationship" with
Washington.
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