This may be someone we can do business with....Winds of change may be blowing in Germany in our favor with Ms. Merkel.
German chancellor Angela Merkel says she will not be "blackmailed" by the kidnappers of a German woman in Iraq who have threatened to kill her.
But she said her government is doing "everything in its power" to rescue 43-year-old Susanne Osthoff and her driver, who were seized on Friday.
The kidnapping is her first major test as German leader, and her comments came in her first speech to parliament.
One thing is clear. This government, this parliament will not let itself be pressured," Mrs Merkel said.
"It is directed at everything that is important to us, at the core of our civilisation. It is directed against our entire value system. Against freedom, tolerance and the respect of human dignity, democracy and the rule of law."
She also re-stated her intention to have a "close, honest, open and trusting" relationship with Washington.
