Bush und Chirac kuscheln vor dem D-Day

--- Rechtzeitig vor dem Europa-Trip Bushs haben die USA und Großbritannien ihren jüngsten Vorschlag für eine neue UN-Irak-Resolution entschärft: Er räumt der neuen irakischen Führung mehr Mitspracherechte beim Mandat der US-geführten Truppen im Land ein. Die USA und Großbritannien gingen damit auf Forderungen von Kritikern ihres Plans ein. Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder zeigte sich daraufhin bereits optimistisch, dass die Differenzen über den Text überwunden werden können. Nun zeigt sich auch der französische Präsident Chirac langsam bereit zum Einlenken: President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac pledged Saturday to work together to help rebuild Iraq, but they continued to remain at odds, as Chirac called the situation "extremely precarious" while Bush claimed major progress toward a free and democratic country. The leaders sought to emphasize their common ground as they prepared to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the D-day invasion, one of the moments when the United States and France were closest. But their ongoing differences over Iraq were clearly evident. During a joint news conference, Chirac said he was pleased that the "tyrannical regime" of Saddam Hussein was gone, but added: "What's less positive is that there is a degree of chaos prevailing." The French president again took issue with Bush's justification for the invasion of Iraq, which Bush often compares to the liberation of Europe 60 years ago. "History does not repeat itself, and it is very difficult to compare historical situations that differ," Chirac said. Bush said he appreciated the discussions with Chirac and took a conciliatory tone. Mehr auf deutsch in Spiegel Online.