German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (L) exchanges a handshake with
dismissed defence minister Rudolf Scharping as his designated successor
Peter Struck (C) looks on during an appointment ceremony in Berlin's
castle Bellevue July 19, 2002. Schroeder appointed Struck as the new
defence minister on Friday, hoping that his sacking on Thursday of the
previous gaffe-prone incumbent Scharping will help save his flagging
bid for re-election in September. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

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