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Westerwelle arrives in US for talks with Clinton

Published: 5 Nov 09 08:25 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20091105-23043.html

Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s new foreign minister, arrived in the United States on Wednesday evening for talks with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton. They are expected to discuss the war in Afghanistan and the surprise decision by General Motors not to sell its German unit Opel.

Westerwelle, who is still in the first weeks of his new job, described the United States as the “most important partner to Germany outside of Europe.” He also said he hopes to express “what important meaning the government attaches to the German-American relationship.”

In addition to meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, Westerwelle is also scheduled to visit a list of influential US senators.

The German foreign minister has said he aims to bring up the question of removing remaining US nuclear weapons from Germany. Some 20 warheads are thought to be located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, though the numbers have not been officially confirmed.

Westerwelle’s visit follows close on the heels of a US trip by Chancellor Angela Merkel early in the week, where she gave a historic address to a joint session of US Congress. She also meet US President Barack Obama for talks at the White House.

He is expected back in Berlin on Friday.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

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Your comments about this article:

09:26 November 5, 2009 by jsweeney
I wonder if he's bringing a translator?
14:36 November 5, 2009 by Celeon
Me too. :-D

Its better, otherwise we might end up in war with the USA , again, before the end of the week.

You know, when Guido wants to talk about about american hsitory but instead unwillingly speaks out lots of insults about George Washington and his mom. ROFL
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