German-US rift 'remains'

Schroeder and Bush were previously strong partners

By Katya Adler BBC correspondent in Berlin

Germany still needs to work hard to restore its relations with the United States, a US ambassador has warned.

The damage caused by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's criticism of US's Iraq policy during his election campaign should not be underestimated, the US ambassador to Berlin Daniel Coats said on Tuesday.

The transatlantic tensions peaked just before Germany's general election in September.

The Social Democrat Mr Schroeder ran a populist campaign, riding on anti-war public sentiment by promising that Germany would never join a US-led war against Iraq.

Exchanges with the White House are frosty

But worse was yet to come - from America's standpoint at least - when the German justice minister allegedly said that US President George Bush was using war to distract his critics from problems at home, just as Adolf Hitler had done.

Washington was furious and described its relations with Germany as "poisoned".

Since winning his election, Mr Schroeder has been desperate to mend the damage.

But his is a fine balancing act.

After his election promises, he will face a public outcry if he directly involves Germany in an attack on Iraq.

Back against the wall

In an attempt to compromise, Mr Schroeder wants to allow the US to use German airspace as well as its military bases as a launch pad for a possible war.

But his pacifist coalition partner, the Green Party, strongly disagrees.

Mr Schroeder has his back against the wall.

As he tries to "un-poison" relations with Washington, he could well contaminate his governing coalition and alienate those who voted for him.