10 Questions For Gerhard Schroeder

By Gerhard Schroder; Charles P. Wallace

SECRETARY OF STATE RICE WAS JUST IN BERLIN, AND THERE WERE MANY SMILES. RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND GERMANY SEEM TO HAVE IMPROVED. BUT THERE'S STILL IRAQ. HAS ANYTHING REALLY CHANGED? You must not underestimate the importance of the atmosphere, and that's certainly improved. We both agree that in Iraq it's important that we make sure stability reigns, that the reconstruction efforts gather momentum and that the Iraqis begin to build homegrown security forces. The disputes are in the past. The only thing we will not do is put military boots on the ground in Iraq.

SOME IN THE U.S. WERE OFFENDED BY YOUR SPEECH ABOUT WEAKNESSES IN THE TRANSATLANTIC ALLIANCE. I wanted to establish more common ground in the transatlantic relationship through NATO, the E.U. and all the other institutions that exist between the U.S. and Germany. We are not just ready to discuss questions of military importance but go further into a real strategic dialogue on questions such as climate change, international terrorism, nonproliferation and aid to Africa. The time is right for opening a new chapter in transatlantic relations.

DO YOU SEE THE U.S. AS BEING IN A WEAKENED STATE NOW, NEEDING EUROPE MORE THAN EVER BEFORE? I do not think I would formulate it any way near the way you have. But I think there is a greater recognition of the fact that we are so entirely interrelated and interdependent today.

IN A RECENT SURVEY, A MAJORITY OF GERMANS SAID THE E.U. SHOULD BE MORE INDEPENDENT OF THE U.S. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? I am a firm believer that most problems we are grappling with today can and will be solved only through real partnership with the U.S. I think any other idea is just plain wrong.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE IRAN? Iran has to waive the right to build nuclear weapons. Full stop. Britain, France and Germany think the right way to achieve this is through diplomatic means. The vibes we're getting from within Iran also seem to show there is some willingness to go for that type of solution.

WHY DO YOU SUPPORT LIFTING THE ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA? It was a justified reaction to the massacre at Tiananmen Square. Now there is a new government in place in China that has taken modest steps toward liberalization. For me that is certainly not enough. But still, first steps have been taken, and therefore I think the embargo is ready to be lifted. Germany has no intentions whatsoever of delivering weapons to China.

GERMANY IS SEEKING A PERMANENT SEAT ON THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL? WHY? If you look at what we're doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans--we're strongly present there under the umbrella of the U.N. We're taking international security very seriously. We're the third largest contributor to the U.N. budget, and to us it's appropriate to express the desire [for a permanent seat].

ARE YOU TOO UNCRITICAL OF WHAT MANY SEE AS RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN'S MOVES TOWARD AUTHORITARIANISM? We all want to see a strong, prosperous and democratic Russia. I think President Putin is on the right path to get there.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ANTI-SEMITISM MAKING A COMEBACK IN GERMANY? I do not think that racism or anti-Semitism has a chance to come back in Germany. But--and I emphasize this--due to our history but also generally speaking, we will go in and most strongly fight any such moves.

YOUR DOMESTIC POPULARITY HAS REBOUNDED. WHAT'S YOUR STRATEGY IN THE NEAR TERM? We certainly have to continue with the reform process, in the labor market and the health sector. I think reform-oriented politics is a perpetual machine because the economic environment is changing faster than ever before. I think we have to be constantly on the leading edge to not fall behind.