Volker Ruehe (L-R), former German defence minister of the Christian
Democratic Union party (CDU) is seen together with CDU leader Angela
Merkel, CDU parliamentary floor leader Friedrich Merz (R) and Michael
Glos, parliamentary floor leader of the CDU's sister party Christian
Social Union party (CSU) after addressing a news conference in Berlin
August 28, 2001. Germany's opposition conservatives said on Tuesday
they were no longer against sending German troops to Macedonia, paving
the way for broad approval of the mission in a parliamentary vote on
Wednesday.

FAB/WR