Bush says he had glimpse into Merkel's soul

BERLIN, May 8 (Reuters) US President George W Bush said he gained a glimpse into German Chancellor Angela Merkel's soul when they met in Washington last week.

Bush told ARD television that Merkel had described her youth in communist East Germany at a White House dinner on Wednesday.

''She spoke of her childhood, of her father who was a pastor, of the (communist youth group) young pioneers, of her school life. And I have to say I got a glimpse into her soul, into how she feels,'' he said yesterday.

Reuters translated his comments from a German transcript of the ARD interview, due to be broadcast yesterday. ARD could not immediately provide original English quotes.

Bush called Merkel ''authentic, open and direct''.

His comments echo ones he made about Russian President Vladimir Putin five years ago. ''I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country,'' Bush said then.

His relations with Putin have since soured as Washington has grown increasingly critical of the Russian leader's record on democracy, human rights and press freedom.

Reuters VJ VP0552