1 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin arrive for a news conference before their talks in Berlin January 18, 2006. France is making an all-out effort to lobby Germany to drop opposition to a EU tax plan so that President Jacques Chirac can fulfil a longstanding pledge to cut taxes on restaurant meals. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz 2 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin address the media before their talks in Berlin January 18, 2006. France is making an all-out effort to lobby Germany to drop opposition to a EU tax plan so that President Jacques Chirac can fulfil a longstanding pledge to cut taxes on restaurant meals. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz 3 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin address the media before their talks in Berlin January 18, 2006. France is making an all-out effort to lobby Germany to drop opposition to a EU tax plan so that President Jacques Chirac can fulfil a longstanding pledge to cut taxes on restaurant meals. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz 4 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin address the media before their talks in Berlin January 18, 2006. France is making an all-out effort to lobby Germany to drop opposition to a EU tax plan so that President Jacques Chirac can fulfil a longstanding pledge to cut taxes on restaurant meals. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz 5 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin address the media before their talks in Berlin January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz 6 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and French Premier Dominique de Villepin, left, talks to the press prior to their talks in Berlin Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil) 7 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) addresses a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2,300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 8 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) addresses a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 9 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) addresses a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 10 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) attends a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2,300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 11 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) addresses a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 12 Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) addresses a news conference on the annual Davos meeting in Cologny outside Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2006. About 2,300 leaders from 89 countries are expected to attend this year's January 25-29 Forum, headed 'The Creative Imperative', which will be opened by German chancellor Angela Merkel. REUTERS/ARC-Dominic Favre 13 A man pulls a child on a sledge through the snow in front of the federal Chancellery in Berlin January 18, 2006. Child care has long been the poor cousin of politics in Germany -- a country known for its low birth rates, poor child care and where having a large family was seen by many as an oddity. But in the run up to three state elections in spring, both sides of the country's governing alliance between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats deem the state of families' finances key for wooing voters. TO ACCOMPANY STORY ECONOMY-SOCIETY-CHILDCARE REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann 14 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, with Vice Chancellor Franz Muentefering, left, prior to the cabinet meeting in Berlin on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Fritz Reiss) 15 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) shakes hands with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) as German Labour Minister Franz Muentefering stands between them before a weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann 16 German Chancellor Angela Merkel smiles as she arrives for a weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann 17 German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks to German Labour Minister Franz Muentefering before a weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann 18 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel's flurry of trips underlines her break with predecessor Gerhard Schroeder's backslapping, personalized diplomacy, showing a more balanced approach that doesn't softpedal sore points. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 19 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. Merkel's flurry of trips underlines her break with predecessor Gerhard Schroeder's backslapping, personalized diplomacy, showing a more balanced approach that doesn't softpedal sore points. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 20 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint news conference in Moscow's Kremlin, January 16, 2006. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 21 German Chancellor Angela Merkel cheers during a welcome in the German embassy in Moscow, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, with former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, who turned Kremlin opponent, at bottom left. After her talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during her six-hour visit to Moscow Merkel also met with human rights groups. (AP Photo/ Jan Bauer/ Pool) 22 German Chancellor Angela Merkel boards the government's Airbus to leave Moscow, January 16, 2006. German officials said in Berlin that Merkel had come to Moscow hoping to persuade Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Jan Bauer/Pool 23 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel before a meeting in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Putin said on Monday that Russia's position on Iran's nuclear programs was very close to that of the European Union and the United States, but he said the issue called for very careful handling. REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE 25 German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to the media during her meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 26 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin look on during their joint news conference in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Putin said on Monday that Russia's position on Iran's nuclear programs was very close to that of the European Union and the United States, but he said the issue called for very careful handling. REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE 27 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel look on during their meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov ) 28 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) is welcomed by German embassy staff in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel is on a one-day visit to Moscow hoping to persuade Russian President Valdimir Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Jan Bauer/Pool 29 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 30 German Chancellor Angela Merkel toasts with German embassy staff in Moscow, during a welcome ceremony January 16, 2006. Merkel is on a one-day visit to Moscow hoping to persuade Russian President Valdimir Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Jan Bauer/Pool 31 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint press conference in Moscow. Putin warned against taking "abrupt" steps over Iran's nuclear ambitions and said Tehran had not ruled out a Russian proposal to enrich uranium for Iran on Russian territory.(AFP/Itar-Tass/File) 32 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint news conference in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Putin said on Monday that Russia's position on Iran's nuclear programs was very close to that of the European Union and the United States, but he said the issue called for very careful handling. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 33 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 34 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 35 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 36 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shows his desk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in the Moscow's Kremlin, Monday January 16, 2006. Putin said on Monday that Russia's position on Iran's nuclear programmes was very close to that of the European Union and the United States, but he said the issue called for careful handling. REUTERS/Julia Fassbender/Bundespresseamt/Pool 37 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel speak to the media during their meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 38 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Russia's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is 'very close' to that of European countries and the United States, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 39 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a joint news conference in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Russia's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is 'very close' to that of European countries and the United States, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 40 German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech during a welcome ceremony in the German embassy in Moscow, January 16, 2006. German officials said in Berlin that Merkel had come to Moscow hoping to persuade Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Jan Bauer/Pool 41 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) speaks during a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Russia's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is 'very close' to that of European countries and the United States, Putin said on Monday. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 42 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. During her six-hour visit to Moscow, her first as Germany's leader, Merkel also was to meet with human rights groups. Such groups, and other non-governmental organizations, are concerned that legislation passed by the parliament last month will severely limit NGOs. . (AP Photo/ Jan Bauer) 43 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a statement after a meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. During her six-hour visit to Moscow, her first as Germany's leader, Merkel also was to meet with human rights groups. Such groups, and other non-governmental organizations, are concerned that legislation passed by the parliament last month will severely limit NGOs.. (AP Photo/ Jan Bauer) 44 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. During her six-hour visit to Moscow, her first as Germany's leader, Merkel also was to meet with human rights groups. Such groups, and other non-governmental organizations, are concerned that legislation passed by the parliament last month will severely limit NGOs. (AP Photo/ Jan Bauer) 45 From right, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin, left, toast with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov ) 46 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd R) in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Russia's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is 'very close' to that of European countries and the United States, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday. REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE 47 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, looks on while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Others are unidentified. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov) 48 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk after their talks in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov ) 49 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov) 50 Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 51 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) is welcomed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov (C) and Foreign Ministry official Mikhail Timoshkin at Vnukovo II airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel met President Vladimir Putin on Monday for talks in which she was expected to press him to support European Union and U.S. diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 52 German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the Government Vnukovo II airport in Moscow. Merkel said the fast-expanding economic relationship between Germany and Russia "takes one's breath away" as she met President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin during her first visit to Moscow since taking office late last year.(AFP/Yuri Kadobnov) 53 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, looks at Russian President Vladimir Putin as he greets the members of the German delegation in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. High on the agenda in her talks with President Vladimir Putin were European efforts to find a common approach with Russia to Iran, after Tehran's decision to resume uranium enrichment activities, a major theme of Merkel's meeting in Washington last week with U.S. President George W. Bush. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 54 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) smiles as she meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Kremlin, January 16, 2006. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 55 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) gestures during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel met Putin on Monday for talks in which she was expected to press him to support European Union and U.S. diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 56 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) during a meeting in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel met President Vladimir Putin on Monday for talks in which she was expected to press him to support European Union and U.S. diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 57 German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) during a meeting in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel met President Vladimir Putin on Monday for talks in which she was expected to press him to support European Union and U.S. diplomatic pressure on Iran. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 58 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 59 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 60 Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel is on a one-day visit to Moscow. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 61 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov ) 62 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov ) 63 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade Putin to join the EU and the United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 64 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 65 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands in Moscow's Kremlin January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 66 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 67 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 68 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 69 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands during a meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel stays for an one-day state visit in Russia. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 70 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel stays for an one-day state visit in Russia. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 71 Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel speak to each other during their meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel stays for an one-day state visit in Russia. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 72 German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures after her arrival at Vnukovo II Airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 73 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel stays for an one-day state visit in Russia. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer) 74 German Chancellor Angela Merkel passes German officers on her arrival at Vnukovo II airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 75 Russian President Vladimir Putin. right, listens to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Russia on Monday for her first visit as Germany's chancellor, aiming to underscore a 'strategic partnership' with an important energy supplier while still meeting with representatives of human rights groups. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) 76 German Chancellor Angela Merkel passes German officers on her arrival at Vnukovo II airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 77 German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures after her arrival at Vnukovo II airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 78 German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a bunch of flowers after her arrival at Vnukovo II airport in Moscow January 16, 2006. Merkel arrived in Moscow on Monday where she hopes to persuade President Vladimir Putin to join the EU and United States in ratcheting up diplomatic pressure on Iran, German officials said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 79 German Chancellor Angela Merkel smiles as she leaves the airplane after her arrival in Moscow's Vnukovo airport Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/ Mikhail Metzel) 80 German Chancellor Angela Merkel gesture as she leaves the airplane after her arrival at Moscow's Vnukovo airport Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arive in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/ Mikhail Metzel) 81 German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers remarks at the dedication of the new German Marshall Fund headquarters, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 82 US President George W. Bush(R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel take questions during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Bush said it was now "logical" for the Security Council to get involved in the situation with Iran.(AFP/Brendan Smialowski) 83 US President George W. Bush(R) speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Merkel vowed not to be "intimidated by any country such as Iran," adding it was imperative that Germany, the US and other countries spoke with a united voice on the issue.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) 84 Detainees hold onto a fence at Camp 4 of the maximum security prison Camp Delta at Guantanamo Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in this August 26, 2004 file photo. U.S. President George W. Bush, speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington January 13, 2006, told reporters that 'Guantanamo is a necessary part of protecting the American people.' REUTERS/Mark Wilson/Pool/Files 85 Detainees hold on to a fence at Camp 4 of the maximum security prison Camp Delta at Guantanamo Naval Base in this 2004 file photo. President George W. Bush rejected criticism from German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the US war on terror detention camp at Guantanamo Bay(AFP/POOL/File/Mark Wilson) 86 German Chancellor Angela Merkel,right, responds to a joke by Co-Chairman of the Board Marc Leland, left, at the dedication of new German Marshall Fund headquarters, Friday, Jan 13, 2006 in Washington. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 87 German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends the dedication of the new German Marshall Fund headquarters, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 88 German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks at the plaque she just signed as Co-Chairman of the Board Marc Leland, right, holds it up, at the dedication of the new German Marshall Fund headquarters, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 89 German Chancellor Angela Merkel responds to a joke by Co-Chairman of the Board Marc Leland, left, at the dedication of new German Marshall Fund headquarters, Friday, Jan 13, 2006 in Washington. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 90 US President George W. Bush(R) speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Bush said that Iran would be a threat to the world if it had a nuclear weapon but that he wanted a diplomatic solution to the crisis with the Islamic Republic.(AFP/Brendan Smialowski) 91 US President George W. Bush(R) greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Bush said that Iran would be a threat to the world if it had a nuclear weapon but that he wanted a diplomatic solution to the crisis with the Islamic Republic.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) 92 US President George W. Bush(R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel give a joint press conference at the White House in Washington DC. Bush said that Iran would be a threat to the world if it had a nuclear weapon but that he wanted a diplomatic solution to the crisis with the Islamic Republic.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) 93 German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a joint press conference with US President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Bush said that Iran would be a threat to the world if it had a nuclear weapon but that he wanted a diplomatic solution to the crisis with the Islamic Republic.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) 94 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. President George W. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down, but the leaders stood together in urging U.N. intervention, if Iran does not retreat from a resumption of its nuclear program. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, pool) 95 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. President George W. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down, but the leaders stood together in urging U.N. intervention, if Iran does not retreat from a resumption of its nuclear program. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, pool) 96 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, front third from left, wlaks from the white House after her meeting with US President George W. Bush in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. President George W. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down, but the leaders stood together in urging U.N. intervention, if Iran does not retreat from a resumption of its nuclear program. Others unidentified.(AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, pool) 97 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, walk to the East Room of the White House for a press conference on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 98 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. President George W. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down, but the leaders stood together in urging U.N. intervention, if Iran does not retreat from a resumption of its nuclear program. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, pool) 99 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 100 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to addressing a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. President George W. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down, but the leaders stood together in urging U.N. intervention, if Iran does not retreat from a resumption of its nuclear program. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, pool) 101 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 102 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 103 U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to reporters after a meeting with new German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington, January 13, 2006. Bush and Merkel on Friday differed on Guantanamo Bay but vowed to seek a common approach on Iran as they opened a new, improved chapter in U.S.-German relations. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 104 U.S. President George W. Bush listens to German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the White House on Friday. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 105 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, third left, is on her way to meet U.S. President George W. Bush in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 106 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, is on her way to meet U.S. President George W. Bush in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 107 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, is on her way to meet U.S. President George W. Bush in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 108 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 109 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are being photographed in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 110 U.S. President George W. Bush, center, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, are being photographed in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 111 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 112 German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 113 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 114 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 115 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 116 U.S. President George W. Bush, center, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, are being photographed in the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor Angela Merkel that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Guido Bergmann, Pool) 117 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 118 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel leave after a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush and Merkel on Friday differed on Guantanamo Bay but vowed to seek a common approach on Iran as they opened a new, improved chapter in U.S.-German relations. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 119 U.S. President George W. Bush, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Bush rejected a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Dalder, Pool) 120 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel leave after a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush and Merkel on Friday differed on Guantanamo Bay but vowed to seek a common approach on Iran as they opened a new, improved chapter in U.S.-German relations. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 121 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, looks at President Bush as they hold a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 122 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 123 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaks to President Bush as they held a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 124 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 125 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 126 German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures during a joint news conference with President Bush, not pictured, in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 127 President Bush holds a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 128 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 129 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 130 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and President Bush smile during a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 131 President Bush gestures during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, not pictured, in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 132 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, share a laugh during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 133 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 134 U.S. President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel speak to reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Three years after the countries' divisive clash over the Iraq war, the new German leader has pledged to work with Bush rather than against him, as her predecessor often seemed to do. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 135 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, shake hands after holding a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 136 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, answers a question as she and President Bush hold a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 137 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 138 President Bush arrives with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, to hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 139 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and President Bush smile during a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 140 President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 141 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, listens to President Bush answer a question as they held a joint press conference, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari) 142 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and new German Chancellor Angela Merkel smile after speaking to reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 143 German Chancellor Angela Merkel uses a translator's earpiece as she listens to a reporter's question beside U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 144 New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center-L) and U.S. President George W. Bush walk to the East Room of the White House to speak to reporters following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 145 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) looks on as U.S. President George W. Bush answers a question during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 146 U.S. President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 147 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel address a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 148 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center-L) speaks with U.S. President George W Bush as they walk through the cross hall of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 149 German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to reporters along with U.S. President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Three years after the countries' divisive clash over the Iraq war, the new German leader has pledged to work with Bush rather than against him, as her predecessor often seemed to do. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 150 U.S. President George W. Bush points toward New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) as they speak to reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 151 German Chancellor Angela Merkel watches U.S. President George W. Bush (R) as he gestures during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Bush said on Friday he was not going to prejudge what the United Nations Security Council would do if Iran is brought before the 15-member Council over its nuclear program. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 152 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President George W. Bush walk to the East Room of the White House to speak to reporters following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Three years after the countries' divisive clash over the Iraq war, the new German leader has pledged to work with Bush rather than against him, as her predecessor often seemed to do. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 153 U.S. President George W. Bush makes a point as he answers a question beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 154 German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a point as she answers questions beside U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 155 President Bush gestures during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in Washington. Bush rejected on Friday a suggestion by Germany's new chancellor that the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, be shut down. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 156 U.S. President George W. Bush and new German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands after speaking to reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Three years after the countries' divisive clash over the Iraq war, the new German leader has pledged to work with Bush rather than against him, as her predecessor often seemed to do. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 157 German Chancellor Angela Merkel smiles as she shakes hands with U.S. President George W. Bush following a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 158 U.S. President George W. Bush makes a fist as he talks about the spirit of new German Chancellor Angela Merkel while they address reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Three years after the countries' divisive clash over the Iraq war, the new German leader has pledged to work with Bush rather than against him, as her predecessor often seemed to do. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 159 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) smiles alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel following a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 160 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 161 New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center-L) and U.S. President George W. Bush walk to the East Room of the White House to speak to reporters following their meeting in Washington, January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she met Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 162 U.S. President George W. Bush speaks at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 163 President Bush speaks at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 164 New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and U.S. President George W. Bush speak to reporters in the East Room of the White House following their meeting in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she met Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 165 President Bush holds a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 166 U.S. President George W. Bush (R) speaks at a joint news conference with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she met Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 167 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) in the Oval Office, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 168 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 169 President Bush arrives with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, to hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 170 President Bush holds a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 171 President Bush holds a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel is seeking to improve her country's relations with President Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) 172 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 173 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. Besides meeting with Bush, Merkel scheduled a session with members of Congress and planned to attend a ceremony at the newly renovated headquarters of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 174 New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) walks up the driveway of the White House with her staff to meet President Bush in the Oval Office, January 13, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 175 President Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 in Washington. Besides meeting with Bush, Merkel scheduled a session with members of Congress and planned to attend a ceremony at the newly renovated headquarters of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 176 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 177 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 178 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 179 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 180 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Michael Dalder 181 U.S. President George W. Bush meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington January 13, 2006. Merkel's criticisms over U.S. treatment of suspected militants may cloud her attempt to restore trust in German-American relations as she meets Bush on Friday. REUTERS/Michael Dalder