Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and President George Bush opened a new-formula can of varnish yesterday to gloss over past differences. "We agreed not to talk about our differences of opinion, just what we agree on," joked Mr Schröder, as Mr Bush laughed. Derek Scally reports from Mainz
Both leaders were wearing their best steely smiles in Mainz, near Frankfurt, on the second leg of Mr Bush's European charm offensive.
But the smiles and varnish could not gloss over all the cracks between the US and Europe, notably on Iran. And, as Mr Bush announced that he was "honoured" to be in Germany, which he called the "heart of Europe", thousands of protesters gathered outside in the snow carrying signs proclaiming "President Evil".
After almost 90 minutes of talks, Mr Schröder said that differences of opinion over Iraq were "in the past" and that Germany and the US were now "equal friends, partners and allies".
Mr Bush said: "We need partners, and Germany is a partner with the same goal of a peaceful world." He was responding to a question about whether he shared his father's view, expressed during the first President Bush's 1989 visit to Mainz, of "partnership in leadership".
"My father fondly remembers that trip. I'll tell him that my first question on German soil had his name in it," said a beaming Mr Bush.
The president gave a clear sign that he accepts and respects that Berlin is not prepared to send troops to Iraq.
"I fully understand the limitations of the German contribution. But it is not limited, it's an invaluable contribution," he said, praising German efforts to train Iraqi police in the United Arab Emirates and offers to help build up democratic institutions as well as help draft the constitution.
Mr Schröder appeared to show understanding for US limits too, namely its opposition to the Kyoto environmental goals. Instead, the two leaders unveiled a vague proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, they did not manage to present a common front on Iran. Mr Schröder commented: "Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons." Mr Bush agreed, saying it was vital that Iran should "hear the world speaking with one voice" and that "diplomacy was just beginning".
But he appeared to shrug off European ideas of offering Iran political and economic incentives to halt its nuclear programme and breaches of the non-proliferation treaty. "They were caught enriching uranium," said Mr Bush. "They have breached a contract with the international community. They are the party that needs to be held to account, not any of us."
Mr Schröder described the talks as "extraordinarily successful and extraordinarily friendly". The same words could also apply to the huge protest demonstration held in freezing temperatures a few streets away from the talks under the banner: "You are not welcome, Mr Bush".
"I don't think Mr Bush is evil, just an opportunist," said Mr Tim Kilp, a political science student at the University of Mainz. "He's just trying to make money for his friends in the armaments industry." Ms Birgitte Wülping moved through the crowd ringing a Tibetan bell and wearing a sign with the words "Guantanamo detainee Number 10007". She said: "I lived in New York for two years, so 9/11 affected me deeply, but you can't go about striking out at the world."
Protesters watched in silence as two men, one in fatigues the other in an orange boiler-suit, "re-created" beatings of Iraqi detainees by US soldiers.
At that point, the president and Mrs Laura Bush were already on their way to a museum honouring Mainz's most famous son, Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.
The presidential visit brought Mainz to a standstill yesterday. Major roads and bridges were blocked, manhole covers were welded shut, bins and post-boxes were removed and many businesses remained closed.
"I think it's madness that the most powerful man in the world needs so many police," said Ms Marianne Döpke, from nearby Frankfurt. "It could be Putin in Chechnya."
