Merkel gaffe forces US into damage limitation mode

By Bertrand Benoit in Berlin
Published: December 9 2005 17:46 | Last updated: December 9 2005 17:46

Angela Merkel and Condoleezza Rice were doing a good job of healing the rift between Germany and the US last Tuesday, until Germany’s new chancellor made a serious diplomatic gaffe.

The US secretary of state had admitted the kidnap of a German citizen by the American security services was a mistake, Ms Merkel said. As soon as the press conference was over US officials denied Ms Rice has said any such thing.