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Schroeder to offer Bush help in Iraq

BERLIN: Germany is prepared to help train Iraqi police and soldiers in a sign that its differences with the United States over the US-led war are over, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said in an interview Thursday.

He told the Handelsblatt business daily that the offer stood independent of any UN resolution on Iraq’s post-war reconstruction.

Schroeder is expected to meet US President George W. Bush next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

It would be the first time they have held face-to-face talks in more than a year because of their acrimonious dispute over the invasion of Iraq.

A German government spokesman said talks, although not officially confirmed as yet, are “very likely” to go ahead.

Asked if he would make an offer to Bush at the meeting, Schroeder replied: “Yes, Germany is ready to help with the training of Iraqi police.

“Iraqi military could also be trained in our army colleges. And of course, we would also pay for this, as we do everywhere we are present.”

Training could take place in Germany or elsewhere, he said, but it might be dangerous within Iraq.

“I have indicated that we are ready to help with training independent of a UN resolution.”

Germany, one of the fiercest critics of the US-led war on Iraq, has refused to take any military part in stabilising the nation, not only because it does not want to be seen to legitimise the invasion, but also because German forces are already heavily committed in Afghanistan and the Balkans.

Nevertheless, it has increasingly signalled a willingness to help out.

Schroeder reiterated that the United Nations must play an important role in Iraq, but accepted it was not “in the short term” able to provide security.

“What is important is there is a road map for a transfer of responsibility to an Iraqi civilian government.

“It cannot happen tomorrow, but it would be helpful if there were specific timeframes.”

The United States is trying hard to spread the military and financial burden of post-war Iraq.

Earlier in September it circulated a draft resolution seeking a UN mandate for a multinational force under US command in Iraq.

Opponents of the war — notably France, Germany and Russia — are pressing for a speedier and more defined schedule for Iraqis to resume sovereignty over their nation.n.

The subject will be top of the agenda when Schroeder holds tripartite talks in Berlin this weekend with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush’s closest ally, and French President Jacques Chirac. —AFP

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