Dismissed German defence minister Rudolf Scharping (R) poses together
with newly appointed successor Peter Struck during the appointment
ceremony in Berlin's castle Bellevue, the residence of German President
Johannes Rau, July 19, 2002. German Chancellor Gerhard 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 REUTERS

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