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BERLIN -- Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said yesterday that he deeply regretted exaggerated remarks critical of US moves against Iraq that soured his relations with President Bush.
In a further attempt to repair US-German relations strained by his outspoken criticism, Schroeder said he was confident that the dispute over Iraq would not cause long-term problems between the two countries.
''I deeply regret there were exaggerated comments, also from Cabinet members of my previous government,'' Schroeder told Der Spiegel magazine when asked if there were ''grounds for self-criticism'' for damage he caused to US-German relations.
The declaration was the furthest Schroeder has gone in trying to mend fences with the US.
He and his center-left government had criticized US steps against Iraq, right up until the war started. Early this month, Schroeder began making a slow retreat, saying for the first time that he hoped that US-led forces would win the war quickly.
Last week he said, ''It is always good for mankind when a dictator is removed.''
In speeches in his reelection campaign last year, Schroeder derided plans to attack Iraq as a military adventure that would ''set ablaze'' the Middle East.
In a further attempt to repair US-German relations strained by his outspoken criticism, Schroeder said he was confident that the dispute over Iraq would not cause long-term problems between the two countries.
''I deeply regret there were exaggerated comments, also from Cabinet members of my previous government,'' Schroeder told Der Spiegel magazine when asked if there were ''grounds for self-criticism'' for damage he caused to US-German relations.
The declaration was the furthest Schroeder has gone in trying to mend fences with the US.
He and his center-left government had criticized US steps against Iraq, right up until the war started. Early this month, Schroeder began making a slow retreat, saying for the first time that he hoped that US-led forces would win the war quickly.
Last week he said, ''It is always good for mankind when a dictator is removed.''
In speeches in his reelection campaign last year, Schroeder derided plans to attack Iraq as a military adventure that would ''set ablaze'' the Middle East.
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