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BERLIN, Jan 12, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel departed Berlin Thursday for her first state visit to Washington, with hopes of improving diplomatic relations.
Since being elected Nov. 22, Merkel has set about restoring U.S. relations that turned frosty under her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, Deutsche Welle said.
While Merkel sided with Schroeder in refusing to send troops to Iraq, Karsten Voigt, the German government's trans-Atlantic specialist told the news agency Merkel is likely to suggest to President George Bush there are other ways of helping, such as an expansion of the Iraqi police training programs Germany is currently running.
However, Iran's newly resumed nuclear activity and ambitions are expected to be high on Bush's agenda the BBC said.
William Drozdiak, director of the Washington-based American Council on Germany, said Bush will likely push for more German support in the United Nations regarding Iran.
"Germany would make the biggest sacrifices because they have the strong trading relationship with Iran," Drozdiak said.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
