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Merkel Enjoys Bush’s Down-Home Hospitality
Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas, was the setting this weekend for talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and President George W. Bush, who had invited the Chancellor and her husband to his and Laura’s private home. Chancellor Merkel called the atmosphere on the ranch "wonderful." "I'm very greatful that we can (meet and discuss a number of issues) in such a pleasant, such a wonderful atmospehere, and that we can see each other here again" she said Friday upon arrival. President Bush and the First Lady, who had welcomed the Chancellor and Prof. Joachim Sauer as they stepped off the Presidential helicopter, said they were "thrilled" to greet them "at our place." "In Texas when you invite somebody to your home it's an expression of warmth and respect, and that's how I feel about Chancellor Merkel," President Bush said.
During their talks and at a private dinner on Friday, the President and the Chancellor had a first tour d'horizon of current international issues. On Saturday, they deepened their exchange of views during a private walk on the premises shortly after sunrise and a subsequent working session until lunch. The President and the Chancellor talked about Afghanistan, Iran, Kosovo and the Middle East, among other issues. President Bush said he appreciated Germany's contribution to Afghanistan and thanked the German people and the German troops deployed there "for their strong support of this young democracy." On Iran, the President expressed his "deep desire" to solve outstanding issues "diplomatically." Chancellor Merkel said that if the reports by EU High Representative Solana and IAEA Director General ElBaradei are unsatisfactory, "we will then have to talk and agree on further possible sanctions." On the Middle East, both leaders agreed that the upcoming conference in Annapolis will be an important meeting in the renewed efforts to bring forward the Middle East peace process. Chancellor Merkel underlined that the German Government will do everything it can "to support all of the efforts that the American administration is making in order to turn the upcoming conference in Anapolis into a success." Climate change and the reform of the United Nations were also on the agenda, as well as trade. On climate change President Bush said that he "cares deeply about the matter" and that "the United States is willing to be an active participant and try to come up with solutions that bring comfort to people around the world." Refering to the United Nations climate conference in Bali in December, Chancellor Merkel said "there is a very good chance of turning this conference into a success." On UN Reform Chancellor Merkel pointed to the need to have further exchanges of view on the reform of the United Nations. On the question President Bush ended the Press availability indicating that he would now "feed the Chancellor a hamburger." Last year, Chancellor Merkel and her husband hosted President and Mrs. Bush at a barbecue in Trinwillershagen in Vorpommern, serving wild boar as a specialty of the region.
November 11, 2007 Links
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