A lull in the conflict
BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Own report) While tensions between Berlin and Washington are stabilising, German foreign policy continues to be a source of division. While it is incumbent upon circles around the present administration to develop a long range competitive strategy, the present German political opposition attempts to reassure Washington. After respective contacts with the US administration, by Chancellor Schröder (SPD) in Berlin and regional premier Koch (CDU) in the USA, the possible advantage of a change of administration is being discussed in the German capital. The administration as well as the opposition are engaged in an effort to protect western influence on the German economy.
It is said in the Foreign Office (AA) that the conversations between Koch and the US administration send a clear signal that preparations for a change in the chancellery are in progress. This assessment is based on reports by the German Embassy in Washington, which had been included in Koch's contacts. Furthermore, it is supported by available information about the content of the meetings between US Secretary of State Powell and representatives of the CDU opposition. During his recent visit in Berlin, Powell expressed a keen interest in contacts with the opposition.
Safeguards..."
While political appointees close to the SPD, within the AA, consider a possible change of the government as ,,American", elements among Green Party functionaries, as well as the rest of the officialdom consider it quite a practical idea - with the condition, however, that along with it Berlin's claim for expanded spheres of influence will be recognised. Thus a change of the administration would, in addition, ensure the international recognition of the importance of German foreign and economic policies toward the west, without posing damage to growing aspirations toward Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
... and mutual benefits
The protection of Berlin's western influence is close to the hearts of numerous German big business interests which depend on trade with the USA. The AA has assumed their interests to arrange, through its embassy in Washington, a German-American economic summit. Among the German participants are prominent board members and directors of substantial export industries such as Bayer, Daimler-Chrysler, Volkswagen, BMW, MAN and Siemens, as well as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. These representatives, called ,,economic leaders" by the German press, desire to consult with their US partners about ,,perspectives on transatlantic relations" among other things. There, the future of the present federal government will also be under discussion.
Alternatives
In the event of a change of administration and a lull in the German-American conflict, the representatives of the political party ,,Bündnis 90/The Greens" are prepared. After agreements with the conservative CDU on local levels of government and a far-reaching breakdown of the coalition with the SPD in the largest German of state (North Rhine-Westphalia), participation of the Greens in future administrations of the CDU cannot be considered out of the question.