THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER DEPARTS LATER MONDAY FOR A TWO-DAY TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES, WHERE HE IS TO DISCUSS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND STRENGTHENING TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS. FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER IS TO MEET U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE IN WASHINGTON, AND WILL LIKELY DISCUSS IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, THE ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS AND SITUATIONS IN BELARUS AND THE BALKANS, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID. STEINMEIER IS ALSO TO MEET WITH U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER STEPHEN HADLEY, AND WITH U.S. LAWMAKERS AND FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS. THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S TRIP COMES A MONTH BEFORE A PLANNED VISIT BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED.
