Posted on 04/07/2005 3:43:30 PM PDT by longjack
NPD wants to use tennis hall as "National Center" The NPD has bought an indoor tennis center in the Bavarian town of Grafenwöhr and wants to set up a "national center" for major events there. The mayor is horrified and, above all, fears the reactions of the Americans: One of the biggest military training areas of the U.S. army is right next door.
Helmut Wächter, the mayor of the 7000 inhabitant town near Regensburg, was "shocked". He confirmed to SPIEGEL ONLINE the purchase of the hall, which, unfortunately, no one was able to prevent. The hall was purchased from Dresden real estate developer Wolfgang Jürgens. The town first tried to buy the hall itself. The owner, however, only laughed at the offer of 100,000 Euros. Then, according to Wächter, another private investor showed an interest, but eventually the financing fell through. Finally, Jürgens sold the empty hall to the NPD. The center presents a completely different danger. The social democrat, who has been mayor for over 20 years, is confident however, he will still to be able to foil the NPD plan. "We will exhaust all legal possibilities ", he announced. At first the town will check its right of first refusal and perhaps buy the hall itself. Carsten Volkery
© SPIEGEL ONLINE 2005 Alle Rechte vorbehalten Vervielfältigung nur mit Genehmigung der SPIEGELnet GmbH "Spiegel-Online".... NPD will Tennishalle als "nationales Zentrum" nutzen
Translated by longjack
|
||||||||||
David's Medienkritik has a more on this story as well. Background and comments are available there, in English.
longjack
longjack
I was about to copy and paste the Medienkritik article when you pinged me.
Of course, nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to our pseudo allies, the Germans.
By the way, I love that site. Thanks for pointing it out.
The NPD is putting the existence of those townspeople at risk.
The Commentary on this story at David's Medienkritik is very good.
Thanks for the tip.
longjack
Would you like to translate the headline?
Ping
How does NPD translate?
There is nothing deceptive about it.
tIn Germany they are called the neo-nazis. I just came back a few days ago and saw a 2 hour report on German Television about the neo nazis and their attempt to recruit young people into their midst.
You must know that an attempt to outlaw the partywas defeated by their supreme court. They have not made it into the Bundestag yet, since they haven't made the 5% test. They have moved into several states parliament and now having fused with the DVI may be able to exceed 5% in 2006
Neo-Nazis Plan Large "National Center" for Anti-American Rallies Near Major US Base
US Troops and Families Can Expect Hostile New Nazi Neighbors in Grafenwoehr, Germany
This is unbelievable: The German NPD, a hard right nationalist Neo-Nazi party, has purchased a large indoor tennis hall in Grafenwoehr, Germany, the site of a major US military base, to hold large anti-American rallies, festivals and events.
But it gets worse: According to the NPD, the new hall is to be dedicated as follows:
"On the occasion of the separation of the USA from Great Britain on the 4 of July (so-called Independence Day) we plan on Sunday evening, July 2, 2005 to inaugurate our liberated zone with a large anti-American culture festival.
Motto: "No to slavery, the rule of money and imperialism: Dissolve the USA now!" Further major events are planned."
The frightening part of this all: The slogans of the Neo-Nazis are strikingly similar to those of the hard left in Germany. The last time the two combined politically in this manner, they overthrew the Weimar Republic and destroyed German democracy. Anyone worried yet?
NPD Stickers: (left) "Peace Instead of US Wars" (center) "Germany for us Germans!" (right) Stop the World Arsonist USA and its German Henchman!"
Here, now, is the translation of a major news article on the NPD's plans:
"NPD Wants to Use Tennis Hall as "National Center"
The NPD has purchased an indoor tennis hall in Bavarian Grafenwoehr and wants to establish a "national center" there for large events. The mayor is appalled and is worried above all about the reaction of the Americans: Next to it lies the largest troop training facility of the US Army (in Germany).
Berlin - Finally - the NPD celebrates in a press release, the party has a "large object" in which it can hold large party rallies, concerts and other events. The hall will also be put at the disposal of other hard right parties such as the DVU and the Republikaner.
Helmut Waechter, the mayor of the 7,000 resident town near Regensburg, was shocked. He confirmed the purchase of the hall to SPIEGEL ONLINE that was unfortunately not preventable. The empty hall was sold by Dresden real estate developer Wolfgang Juergens to the NPD.
It plans an anti-American festival for the dedication on July 2, two days before the American national holiday. That is a particular provocation, because a large US training facility is in Grafenwoehr. The Americans plan the deployment of an entire brigade to the town, there are supposed to be investments in the hundreds of millions already planned. 8,500 soldiers and family members are to move there.
Waechter is worried about the image of his community. The US command still hasn't heard anything, but "you never know how sensitively the Americans will react" he said. He worries that the news of the new neighbors will reach the Pentagon. Neo-Nazis already showed up at the facility to protest against the troop facility a few years ago in Grafenwoehr. "That went by very quickly though" said Waechter.
The center also contains a completely new danger. The Social Democrat, who has been mayor for over 20 years, is confident, that he can still disrupt the NPD's plans. "We will exhaust all legal means" he has declared. For now the city will check the purchase and check if it can't eventually buy the hall itself.
In case that doesn't work, the city will check to see that the hall facility is used according to its intended design. The intended use of the hall is clearly for "sport, recreation and free time." The NPD, according to Waechter, must apply for a change in use and that will be denied - for one reason because of lack of parking. An event center as the NPD would like to have it, needs a certain number of parking spaces, according to regulation. The places belong to the city, according to Waechter."
The only problem is that, to now, the town and mayor Waechter have been unable to stop the NPD and it now appears that the Neo-Nazis will be able to hold rallies unhindered in the purchased hall.
German Anti-Americanism: Chickens Coming Home to Roost
Clearly, part of the blame must be directed at Gerhard Schroeder and Joschka Fischer and their Red-Green government for exploiting anti-American sentiment in Germany for the past three years for political profit. Let's not forget that not so long ago, Gerhard Schroeder's Justice Minister was comparing the methods of George W. Bush to those of Hitler to win an election.
The German left-wing media, above all SPIEGEL, Stern and Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the publishing houses that have released the most outrageous anti-American garbage over the past years, deserve an equal portion of the blame. Just a few months ago SPIEGEL ONLINE ran an article depicting the United States as having become "as scary as Osama Bin Laden." Stern recently ran this ugly gallery of anti-American stereotypes. (Anyone who has followed our website or looked through our archives knows of hundreds of further examples of the German media's attitude towards America.)
More than anyone else, the German government and media have allowed America-hate to get out of control to this extent. So it is particularly ironic that an SPD mayor is so worried and appalled at what is happening. It is equally ironic that SPIEGEL ONLINE, of all news outlets, is reporting on this matter with such a concerned and worried tone. This all represents nothing more than the chickens coming home to roost...reaping what you sow.
Perhaps these groups will finally realize that they have spread the seeds of anti-Americanism to the point that even Nazis can successfully exploit the sad phenomena. Soon the growing Fascist movement in Germany will be able to intimidate and threaten American families in Grafenwoehr.
And how can the US government and the US military put the wives and children of US soldiers in a community like this? They are planning to move in thousands more Americans and invest hundreds of millions in this area? Are you kidding me?
If someone hasn't contacted the Pentagon, the White House, the State Department and the US Congress about this, we had better start doing so right now people! (Here is a link to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. You are welcome to post copies of your emails and letters in our comments section.)
There can only be one response to this: America needs to pull its troops, families and money out of Germany and keep pulling them out until this stops. There are plenty of other nations in Europe where American troops would be welcomed with open arms and where American financial investments would be greatly appreciated.
The SPD (Schroeder's Social Democrats), the Greens, the PDS (Communist party) and their friends in the media who have ceaselessly exploited anti-Americanism in Germany need to be thrown out of their positions of power and discredited. Germany is drifting towards extremism, irrelevance and economic mediocrity because of them.
When will enough be enough???
NOTE: Mr. Wolfgang Juergens of Dresden said that it was a pleasure for him to sell the NPD the tennis hall.
(Article by Ray D.)
There, I've done it. Just a few americans living in Germany who love this country.
One word. "Dresden."
Next to a major US base, eh? They'd better be nice, or their next big anti-American rally might suffer a "tragic weapon guidance malfunction."
National Democratic Party of Germany.
Nationaldemokratischen Partei Deutschlands - NPD
Thank you for the translation.
I'd take the NPD over the Greens, SPD or PDS.
Pseudo allies? Now you definitely seem to be more verbittert than the vast majority of Americans with German roots. I have heard much more positive comments about Germany from FReepers who have visited Germany than from you, who has left the country for whatever reasons. Calling us pseudo allies is the bottom line and leads me to calling you verbittert - whatever the word in English is. Reminds me of a saying: Nothing is worse than a disappointed ex-lover.
The Army's grand scheme of things...is that there will be a significant Army presence in Wiesbaden and Graf...and a few small army posts inbetween...and thats it. For the NPD guys to pick Graf...is significant.
Is the Army down-sizing there?
Landstuhl is Army, I think, but the hospital isn't going anywhere, and Ramstein is Air Force.
The army posts like Baumholder, Pirmasens and Zweibruecken are probably gone I would guess.
longjack
Deutsche Welle....Neo-Nazi Party Aims for National Parliament
longjack
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
