Angela Merkel is the head of the CDU, the ‘Northern’ half of Germany’s right-of-center CDU/CSU, the country’s main opposition to the ghastly Gerhard Schroeder. Blogging away from Austria, the invaluable Bill Dawson links to a fascinating speech Merkel made recently and highlights a couple of key segments, one on the question of Islamic head scarves in schools (a source of considerable controversy in a number of European countries) and, another on Germany’s relationship with the United States. Merkel is no Thatcher and it’s not necessary to agree with everything she says, but this extract is worth repeating:

“How do we also, after September 11th, keep our word when it comes to the defense of democracy? The path from the so-called absolute, unqualified solidarity with the United States in September 2001, to the so-called “German Way” in September 2002 was certainly quick and breathtaking.

“This path led to the American President, in an interview in September 2003, defining — naturally with good cause, I don’t dispute that — the posture of the German government as “pacifism.”

Pacifism? After the binding with the west via Konrad Adenauer and the double NATO resolutions of Helmut Schmidt and Helmut Kohl? What is to be made of this? I would like Germany to take seriously its leading role in Europe. I would like Germany to contribute to the unity of Europe, not disunity. I would like Germany to develop this Europe not against the United States, but with the United States.”

Contrary to the impression too often generated over here, America still has its friends in Europe.