"We want to develop and deepen our bilateral relations, particularly on defence," British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told journalists after talks with German counterpart Peter Struck.

"Cooperation in Afghanistan is an excellent example of the way the international community could work together," he continued.

In February Germany and the Netherlands took over command from Britain of the Afghanistan peacekeeping force ISAF, deployed in Kabul after the Afghan peace accord reached in Bonn in December 2001.

Germany, is scheduled to attend a Brussels defence summit later this month of European Union opponents of the US-led Iraq war, including France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

France and Germany led the field in Europe in opposing the war, while EU members Britain, Spain and Italy lined up behind the United States.

Commenting on the course of the Iraq war, Struck said he had noted "how the British soldiers had obtained the support of the (Iraqi) population and the intensity of British efforts to improve supplies to inhabitants in Basra."

"Problems of humanitarian aid now have to be resolved," Struck continued. "Germany will cetainly not avoid efforts towards reconstruction, especially under United Nations auspices."

Germany, whose population is overwhelmingly opposed to the war, like France and Russia wants the UN to play a central role in postwar Iraq reconstruction.

President George W. Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, meeting on Tuesday, promised only a "vital" role for the UN.

Commenting on the divergent views, Hoon said: "This is not a choice between the US and the UN or any other country, it's about restoring Iraq to its own people so that they are in a position to take their decisions for their future."

German Finance Minister Hans Eichel said in a newspaper interview at the end of last month that Germany would not finance Iraqi reconstruction.

"It cannot be envisaged that some start a war and destroy the country and others who do did not want the war pay to reconstruct it," he said

In an earlier interview, Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said the "coalition of the willing" leading the war should carry the cost of rebuilding.

"I think it is important that the financial burden rest with those who began this infamous war," she said.

SPACE.WIRE