For Mr. Schroeder, who won re-election last fall on a platform of refusing German participation in any military action against Iraq, the statement marks recognition that U.S.-led forces are close to achieving the goal of deposing Mr. Hussein.

"We all hope that the earliest possible end to the war will keep the number of victims as low as possible," Mr. Schroeder told the German parliament. "And we hope that through the defeat of the dictatorship, the Iraqi people can realize [their] hopes of a life in peace, freedom and self-determination as soon as possible."

Germany had earlier opposed regime change as a legitimate reason for war.

However, in his speech, Mr. Schroeder repeated his belief that war could have been avoided if United Nations weapons inspectors had been allowed to continue their mission. He argued that the UN should play "the central role" in the future administration of Iraq, an idea that has been rejected by Washington. Source.

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