(5 Aug 1998) German/Nat
Gerhard Schroeder, leader of the German Social Democratic Party, says he's confident of victory in race to be Chancellor of his country.
And Schroeder -- who's in the U-S for a short visit -- told Washington journalists that a change of government won't affect relations with Washington.
Schroeder is considered Helmut Kohl's main challenger in September's election for chancellor of Germany.
Social Democrat Party (S-D-P) candidate Gerhard Schroeder spent Wednesday trying to bolster his image in the international arena.
Schroeder has governed Germany's Lower Saxony federal state since 1990 and the latest political polls indicate the S-D-P has a steady lead of 41 per cent to 37 per cent over Kohl's Christian Democrats.
But while many political analysts believe Schroeder has a serious chance of defeating the incumbent Helmut Kohl in next month's elections for chancellor, they question his lack of international experience.
Speaking to the press in the U-S capitol, Schroeder insisted his foreign policy platform bears little difference to that of Kohl's Christian Democrats.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Everyone can count on the fact that no major changes will take place in U-S-German relations and that the overall picture will demonstrate stability and continuity after the eventual formation of a new government."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerhard Schroeder, Social Democratic Party Leader
Late Wednesday, Schroeder was to meet with U-S President Bill Clinton, who often establishes personal relationships with opposition leaders from allied countries in the event they some day come to power.
With Schroeder's lead in the polls, analysts say that prospect cannot be discounted.
Schroeder spoke to Associated Press TV after his speech, saying he was optimistic about the coming vote.
But he warned Kohl, who earlier boasted that he was sure of victory, that it would be a battle to the finish.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"At the moment we can judge only by the opinion polls. And they see the S-D-P ranging between 44 per cent and 42 per cent and the C-D-U between 35 per cent and 37 per cent and that represents all of the polls. If that is sufficient for Mr. Kohl than that is his thing. For me personally, the figures are sufficient too. And the personal comparison between myself and Kohl also falls in my favour at present. That is a good starting point for an election that is little more than six weeks away. But I never said that the election winner was already determined. On the contrary, we will have to fight until the very last day."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerhard Schroeder, Social Democratic Party Leader
Asked about the possibility of a coalition with Kohl's party, Schroeder said it depended on the outcome.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Regarding this situation, it doesn't have to do with love or dislike, but we have to see after the elections what is possible -- what is possible both in terms of content and total numbers won -- and then decide. I do not have a preference."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerhard Schroeder, Social Democratic Party Leader
After talks with Clinton, Schroeder was expected to meet with Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright before leaving the U-S later this evening.
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