USA: WASHINGTON: GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL VISIT

(5 Jun 1997) Natural Sound

Sitting down to an Italian dinner with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on Wednesday night, President Bill Clinton pronounced U-S-German relations as vital as ever.

The U-S flag shared space with Germany's on the hood of the presidential limousine as the two heads of state arrived at Filomena Ristorante in Georgetown.

The two leaders arrived at a renowned Washington restaurant on Wednesday for informal talks.

Inside a private dining room crammed with the proprietor's own antiques and bric-a-brac, the two political leaders feasted on the creations of Filomena's pasta makers.

They were joined at the wooden table by a pair of interpreters, National Security Advisor Sandy Berger and his German counterpart Joachim Bitterlich.

Clinton and Kohl, who have been known to trade jokes about their hearty appetites and shifting waistlines, have made something of a tradition out of their "gorge fests".

Three years ago, Kohl introduced Clinton to Filomena's - a family-style, stuff-yourself favourite that the chancellor frequents on his stops in Washington.

Then, during his 1996 re-election campaign, Clinton brought Kohl to a Milwaukee eatery where they sampled it all: ribs, wings, meatballs, steak, chicken, hash browns and cheese sticks.

This year, with Clinton recovering from knee surgery, his spokesperson Mike McCurry said it would be different.

He said that because the president is following his strict dietary regimen and the Chancellor is seeking reelection, they would be making a return to Filomena's - but they would be eating from the children's menu.

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