German Chancellor to meet Blair on Iraq

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who is fervently opposed to war with Iraq, will fly to London next week for talks with Tony Blair.

The one day trip next Wednesday follows a visit the prime minister made in January to the chancellor’s Hanover home.

Schroeder spokesman Bela Anda described the visit as private but said Iraq is expected to be a central theme.

The chancellor has been one of the most vocal opponents of US led military action against Iraq, while Blair is the strongest supporter in Europe of Washington’s hawkish stance.

The two leaders also will jointly open the Masterpieces of Dresden exhibition at London’s Royal Academy, Anda said.

The exhibition features a selection of works from Dresden’s Zwinger Palace that is intended to help raise money for its restoration following devastating floods last August, in which the eastern city bore the brunt of the damage.