Clinton on German TV: "It was a mistake for us to attack Iraq"

Spiegel-Online ^ | July 11, 2004 | Spiegel-Online

[longjack]

CLINTON IN BERLIN

"It was a mistake for us to attack Iraq"

Berlin was in Clinton fever over the weekend. The former U.S. president Bill Clinton stayed in the capital to deliver his autobiography to readers. On the TV show "Sabine Christiansen", he also sharply criticized the government of his successor, George W. Bush.

DDP

Welcome Guest in Berlin: Ex-President Clinton

Berlin - It was a mistake for us to attack Iraq before (UN head weapons inspector) Hans Blix had finished his work", Clinton said on the ARD program last night. There hadn't been any definite proof that the regime of then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had possessed weapons of mass destruction. "We didn't have knowledge about it, that he (Saddam) had nuclear weapons. We didn't have any knowledge either that he had something to do with September 11th, Clinton said". The US had only known that Saddam had chemical and biological stocks at his disposal which could have served in the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Furthermore, Clinton emphasized he had "never promoted the idea" that there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and the terror network Al-Qaeda. The threat by Al-Qaeda is currently biggest danger to the US. After the Iraq war, America and the whole world should be taking an interest that a pluralistic, democratic government establishes itself in Iraq. The former U.S. president also spoke out in favor of a stronger NATO presence in Iraq. Clinton expressed the conviction that German-American relations, which have been shaken by the Iraq war, will normalize again.

....end excerpt.

Remainder of article discusses crowd reaction, etc.

"Spiegel-Online".... "Es war ein Fehler von uns, den Irak anzugreifen"

Translated by longjack

[longjack]

I need to fix the link at the bottom of the original post:

"Spiegel-Online"...."Es war ein Fehler von uns, den Irak anzugreifen"

longjack

[longjack]

t's Just Like Being Back In College. Clinton loves to criticize his country on foreign soil. No doubt the Euro-putzs will adore him. Must be running for head of the UN with Jacque Chirac's blessing.

Look at this sentence in another paragraph of the same article:

Wenn es Bush gewesen wäre, wäre ich nicht gekommen. Aber dieser Clinton, der hat was", sagte eine Berlinerin und stand damit wohl stellvertretend für die 500 Glücklichen, die eine Eintrittskarte zur Signierstunde mit Clinton ergattert hatten.

"If that had been Bush, he wouldn't have come. But there's something about this guy, Clinton", said a Berlin woman, and stood, thereby, well representative of the 500 lucky ones who were able to snag a ticket for the autograph session with Clinton.

Translated by longjack

longjack

[wayoverontheright]

Question for Mr. Clinton. Wasn't the real lesson of 9-11 the fact that anyone who hated us could devastate us on our own soil WITHOUT weapons of mass destruction? And wasn't Saddam unique in all the world in that he had a clear revenge motive?

Your statement indicates sir, that you would have waited until more Americans had died before taking action. Whoever thought of term limits was a genius.

[randita]

Once again, Clinton is caught in a lie. Read about the Clinton Administration's view of an al-Qaeda - Iraq link (Weekly Standard, December 2003):

The Clinton View of Iraq-al Qaeda Ties

[greasepaint]

attn: Slick Willy
Grecian Formula

[bmwcyle]

Attacking so frightens a coward.

[CatoRenasci]

Bestimmt!

[No Surrender No Retreat]

Klintoon is a disgrace and will always remain so to America.I firmly believe the dems stole the election in 1992, aided and abetted by the little,"Pip-Squeak." Perot was so against NAFTA, yet I understand his company has out-sourced many jobs overseas. I think he listened to the song crazy, one too many times. Bush/Cheney 2004.

[Kaslin]

Look at this sentence in another paragraph of the same article: Wenn es Bush gewesen wäre, . Aber dieser Clinton, der hat was", sagte eine Berlinerin und stand damit wohl stellvertretend für die 500 Glücklichen, die eine Eintrittskarte zur Signierstunde mit Clinton ergattert hatten. But there's something about this guy, Clinton", said a Berlin woman, and stood, thereby, well representative of the 500 lucky ones who were able to snag a ticket for the autograph session with Clinton.

---

"If that had been Bush, I wouldn't have come.

Notice: wäre ich nicht gekommen

ich=I

[longjack]

Yes, you're correct.

"If that had been Bush, I wouldn't have come."

Thanks,

longjack

[nathanbedford]

Thanks Longjack for this valuable service you render us.

As someone who lives here in Germany it is difficult to convey to the folks at home the depth of the propaganda for Clinton and against Bush. The Germans have no chance to form another opinion because they never hear another opinion.

[longjack]

You're welcome, nathanbedford.

My kids are bi-lingual, and have dual-citizenship (my wife is German, from Nordhessen). I like to keep an eye on what's happening over there in case either of them wish to study or live there later on.

If I bought stock in blood pressure medication, then translated / posted the Bush or Clinton related articles that appear on the German web sites I monitor, I'd be a billionaire.

I used to live in the K-Town area. Where are you, if I'm permitted to ask?

longjack

[gathersnomoss]

Please name the last time a former Republican president went to a foreign country and slammed the sitting presidents foreign policies? I'm waiting!

TRAITOR with a smile!!!!

[gathersnomoss]

There is a scary thought.

[nathanbedford]

Ganz tief in Bayern, am Chiemsee.

[hope]

Not hard to believe at all.

[SoCal Pubbie]

If someone is willing to pay my way, I am willing to go to Germany to tell the press there what we all know- we made a mistake electing Bill Clinton as President.

[pepsionice]

The German press did make a passing effort to mention Jennifer Flowers and Monica...and they attempted to make it sound like they were the only two. So Jones and the other 8 women were never mentioned, nor the British girl who was raped by Billy-boy while at Cambridge. Most Germans have never heard those stories. Nor do they know about Bill's son...(not from Hillery of course).

[longjack]

TRAITOR with a smile!!!!

What Clinton said on the TV show, according to the article, is exactly what the Germans have been hearing, and what most probably believe.

So, in my opinion, Clinton just made a few statements to confirm their beliefs, and thereby made sure he locked himself in with the German populace.

Tell 'em what they want to hear. The truth, or whether it may endanger issues of national security, is irrelevant.

I just hope to h*ll Bush can get another 4 years.

longjack

[NZerFromHK]

Hey Mr President, didn't you say last month that the Iraq war was right, but the timing was wrong?