Hanover (Germany) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Monday hailed German Chancellor Angela Merkel as being on the "right side of history" with her welcoming refugee policy, although critics denounced his praise as hollow lip service.
Speaking in the northern German city of Hanover, Obama said the embattled Merkel had "demonstrated real political and moral leadership" in letting in more than 1.1 million people fleeing war and misery.
"What's happening with respect to her position on refugees here, in Europe, she's on the right side of history on this," he said.
"She is giving voice to the kinds of principles that bring people together rather than divide them."
While the reticent Merkel blushed at the glowing praise, German officials and commentators charged that Obama's administration had done little to help her as Europe struggles with its biggest migrant crisis since World War II.
Influential news weekly Der Spiegel slammed Obama's comments as "hypocritical given the American role in this drama".
It noted that while 137,000 people had received refugee status in Germany last year, the United States -- whose population is four times greater than Germany's -- had accepted around 70,000. ...
Wonder how many millions of Mexicans Germany has taken off our hands?
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