Word: kohl
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...criticism Germany's neighbors sometimes make about Kohl is that he is preoccupied with domestic politics and lacks vision. But it seems an odd charge to lay against a man dedicated to expanding the Atlantic alliance and making the European Union live up to its name. "Germany," says a senior NATO official in Brussels, "is probably the only major country that is whole- heartedly committed to both NATO and the European Union." Germans must realize, Kohl said last week, that their new unity "will be wasted if we don't press ahead in parallel with European unity...
...Kohl wants to see Germany so embedded in European institutions that it will never again be tempted to swing its weight alone. He is so eager to create a common currency and a common foreign policy that he is willing to do so in a two-tier union, with an inner core of those ready to move forward by the end of this decade and an outer ring of those not financially or politically ready...
Similarly, Kohl likes NATO so much he wants to see it grow bigger. He is uncomfortable with Germany's exposed position on the frontier between the solidity of NATO and the uncertainty of what used to be the Warsaw Pact. He would like to move NATO's border east, embracing Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, even in the face of vehement opposition from Russia. On that score he may face Washington's displeasure too, even if Bill Clinton did say when he visited Germany last July, "I always agree with Helmut...
...passion of Kohl's European dreams will not keep domestic problems from claiming much of his attention during what he says will be his last term in office. He will have to go on paying the bills, now up to $330 billion, for rebuilding the east without overburdening the country's highly taxed citizens. He must try to keep the economic recovery on track, bring down unemployment rates (running nearly 8% in the west and 14% in the east) and work with overpriced industry and unions to mend Germany's sagging productivity...
...Social Democrats say they will not be cooperative: they vow to do their best to overturn the ruling coalition before its term is over. Though his party has lost the past four elections, Social Democratic leader Rudolf Scharping calls Kohl's alliance "a coalition of losers." Kohl did not seem worried last week. "A majority is a majority," he observed. Correct, and ! Helmut Schmidt, one of Germany's most effective Chancellors, governed for six years with an identical 10-seat margin. For that matter, Konrad Adenauer became Chancellor in 1949 by a majority of only one seat. Kohl is betting...