Chancellor Starts Work in Berlin

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was welcomed to his new office in Berlin, marking the first time Germany has been governed from its traditional capital since World War II. “This is a historic moment,” Schroeder said as the chancellery was ceremonially transferred to Berlin from its home of 50 years in Bonn. “A dozen years ago, anyone who would have predicted this would have been dismissed as crazy.” Ironically, Schroeder’s temporary office is the headquarters of former East German President Erich Honecker in eastern Berlin. Germany will be governed from there for at least a year while construction delays on a new chancellery by the Spree River are overcome. Parliament has already made the 375-mile trek from Bonn--files, desks and all--and will start sessions in the refurbished 19th century Reichstag next month.