2nd Lead (Adds background)

German FM in Colombo to lobby for UN security council seat

[TamilNet, Saturday, 17 July 2004, 17:39 GMT]
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer arrived in Sri Lanka Saturday night for a two-day visit as part of his ten- day tour in Asia. He is scheduled to meet several Sri Lankan leaders, including President Kumaratunga, during his short visit. Garnering support for Germany's bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council is on top of Fischer's agenda, a press note on his visit said.

(Photo: BBC)

He will meet President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe on Monday.

Mr. Joschka will also meet the Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar Sunday. A Meeting with the Media is also scheduled.

The Foreign Minister's visit will focus on regional stability in South and East Asia, and cooperation between international organizations as well as gaining support for proposed reforms of the United Nations.

A profile that appeared in the BBC website said: "The German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, of the Green Party, is an exception to the rule in German politics - he is witty, has star quality, and he courts controversy...He stirred new passions over Europe by proposing the ultimate creation of a true "European government" for a federal Europe, with a much smaller role for the nation states."

External Links:

BBC:

Profile: Joschka Fischer's three lives