What Tony Must Learn from Helmut

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An ending was close at the European Summit in Cardiff this past week. Not that of Britain's six-month presidency; something altogether weightier. It was the likely departure of Chancellor Helmut Kohl from the political stage.

This is not to denigrate Britain's presidency, only to put it in perspective. It was not distinguished by much; it could not be. Sidelined from the central action - the creation of European monetary union - competence and a low profile was as much as the government could be expected to muster.

Kohl is very important. He can be credited with three large achievements. First, he has retained and consolidated Germany's position as the leading European …