Posted on 10/05/2004 6:37:20 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
Israeli jet fighters have forced an incoming Lufthansa airliner to land in Cyprus after a bomb alert that German officials had not considered serious. "We wanted to fly to Tel Aviv but the Israeli authorities forced us to land in Larnaca," said a Lufthansa official.
The flight from Frankfurt landed safely and security staff are searching it.
Three passenger jets - two from Greece to New York and one British Airways flight from Berlin - have been diverted after bomb hoaxes in the last 10 days.
"We came to the conclusion with the German authorities that this alert was not serious," a spokeswoman told the AFP news agency.
The threat was transmitted by telephone call to the Lufthansa office in Frankfurt.
There were 331 passengers and 18 crew on board the Boeing 747-400 jet, the spokeswoman said.
If you don't think the US Elections will have an effect on the rest of the world, then you view the world in a very small lens.
Oh no? So Kerry's Global Test on whether the US can protect itself without first having to convince some in Europe that we are justified in doing so doesn't involve Germany, France or any other country? Where have you been? Under a rock?
bump!
Well, if Bush or Kerry had said that he wanted to get home all US troops from Germany because he no longer considers my country an ally, and that from now on German citizens had to apply for visas before entering the US, well, then I would definitely say this election is crucial for my life. Ramstein is a NATO airbase, even if the US withdraw, it is unlikely that it would be shut down. H-ll, Germanys economy had to face cuts in the military from 600,000 in 1990 to 250,000 of our soldiers - and another cut from 250,000 GI´s to currently 75,000. We will survive even when the last 75,000 US troops are gone. It is planned that 25,000 will remain here, which is a good symbolic and strategic presence. Nobody here blames the reducing of US troops on Bush; this is an issue long discussed because of a lack of need.
Re. #19:
What's this "WE" stuff?
Are you French, or German then?
Cool down, lol. I am German, and I certainly doubt that deliberating with partners before pre-emptive strikes means giving them a veto on your security.
I can't speak for others, but to me it means that your country is not seriously committed to helping the USA in the war on terror.
You couldn't be more wrong. Bin Laden struck and struck and struck because of the accurate perception that Bill Clinton and Madeline Albright were weak on terror. They rightly assumed that the political climated of the United States was not courageous enough to confront him directly.
They made an epic miscalculation, however, when it came to George W. Bush. Since 9/11, there has not been a major terrorist event in my country. During the past three years of tumult in Israel, no suicide bombers sponsored by Hamas have struck in the United States - why not? - because they have seen the punishment doled out to Afghanistan and Iraq. We have not seen anymore state-sponsored Al Qaeda attacks in the continental U.S., because the states that sponsor terrorism have seen the resolve of our President to bring justice to our enemies. We've even seen Mohammar Khadafy VOLUNTARILY lay down his WMD at the feet of our President due to the absolute stance our President has taken against terror and those who sponsor it.
Now imagine John "Global Test" Kerry in the Oval Office. Imagine John Edwards going to Syria and telling them to "cut it out or I'll sue". Imagine bin Laden, Zawahari, Ayatollah Khamenei, al-Sadr, Assad, and Zarqawi licking their chops when they realize that a U.S. pullout from the Middle East is only a Democratic president away. Imagine Iran with nuclear fuel; its nuclear missiles pointed at Western Europe, it's nuclear material up for sale to their minions in Hezbollah and Al Qaeda.
You really think your life doesn't depend on who's president here? Europe will be ruled by Sharia if these "overblown" enemies have their way. You need to step outside the bubble of Europe and see this situation for what it is, and John Kerry for what he isn't.
Believe me. I have negative feelings toward Kerry AND negative feelings toward other countries. I don't mix them up. ;->
I think you are wrong that Germans just like Americas money, because I have heard not one who said that he did not like the Americans he personally met. I also disagree that America should pull out all troops, having two dozens of thousands soldiers here means having a good strategic and symbolic presence in Europes heart.
Then I agree with you, that Germany (and others) will have to take over more responsibility regarding the world security. Only having few thousand soldiers in Afghanistan is too little for someone who wants to have a say in the Security Council.
I think a global test means more than deliberating with your partners.
BTW, Germany is NOT our partner and neither is France. I wish them well, but there's a war on.
One day, Germany will come to its senses, but history tells a different tale.
German, see my profile.
The Israeli's take their national security very seriously. Unlike the Germans and French, they have no intention of rolling over and waving the white flag to a bunch of fanatical ragheads.
Germany will never be responsible for the world's security. Stop living in a dreamworld. Your country has a low birth rate and spends almost nothing on its military.
I'll be surprised if Germany is in the first tier in fifty years.
We have a large group of Turks, and France has many Algerians and Marocs.
BTW, I do welcome your participation here. Stick around; you MIGHT learn something. ;->
I think Kerry will try to copy Clinton. "Talk and wait. Then eventually do something." But because your country is stressed a lot because of Iraq and Afghanistan, I don´t think that Bush has many alternatives left for Iran or N Korea.
Please give me an example, when Germany has waved the white flag to terrorists.
No offense, but the "symbolic" thing is near the root of the problem in US politics.
We need to have real substance in our moves. Leaving a few thousand troops costs money, and I want to pay to help someone who appreciates it.
By the way, I respect you for replying to everyone. You must type 120 words per minute. Thanks.
This is another problem. But I think that we have to be more responsible. I´m here to learn since nearly two years, and I don´t regret being here for a minute. Despite of all the harsh comments against my nation.
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