Germany raises stakes against US over Iraq

Telegraph ^ | (Filed: 31/08/2002) | By Hannah Cleaver in Berlin

[dgallo51]

  Germany raises stakes against US over Iraq By Hannah Cleaver in Berlin (Filed: 31/08/2002)

Germany has further hardened its opposition to a US attack on Iraq, saying it would pull a crucial nuclear, chemical and biological investigation unit out of Kuwait if it took place.

The threat to withdraw the Fuchs armoured personnel carrier unit was made as faith waned in the German government that the US administration would consult its allies and heed their concerns before moving against Iraq.

Peter Struck, the defence minister, said: "If the danger arises that our soldiers could become involved in a military conflict against Iraq, the parliamentary resolution [which enabled the unit to be sent to Kuwait] would no longer cover it."

The threat underlined Germany's emerging role as the leader of anti-US sentiment in Europe.

France has made more careful criticisms of Washington's accelerating campaign, and the conservative leaders of Italy and Spain have been largely silent.

The German election is three weeks away and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been using blunt language to indicate the country's opposition to an invasion of Iraq, forcing Edmund Stoiber, his conservative opponent, to adopt a similar stance.

Mr Stoiber said last night he also believed that the tanks should be withdrawn in the case of a lone US attack.

Polls show fierce public opposition to an attack without United Nations backing.

In Denmark, European Union foreign ministers called yesterday for pressure to remain on Iraq to allow UN weapons inspectors back into the country, implicitly rejecting an attack by the US acting alone. They will discuss the issue formally today.

Relations between Germany and America regarding Iraq have deteriorated markedly since March when Mr Schroder said the Fuchs tanks were a vital part of the war against terrorism.

"There are Americans stationed in Kuwait who are fundamental to operation Enduring Freedom. The tanks protect the base there. That is our duty within this partnership," he said.

Now Mr Schroder says he no longer believes Germany would be properly consulted. "Serious consultations must not only concern the how and when, but also the if," he told a Munich newspaper yesterday. "In view of the state of discussions in America, the indication from the US government that we would be consulted later is not enough."

If Washington acted without consulting widely, it alone would have responsibility for the consequences.

Mr Struck said an American attack on Iraq without a UN mandate would be "difficult to justify according to international law".

The six Fuchs vehicles are used to detect nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. The unit can take and analyse samples from a contaminated area to discover what weapons have been used.

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[dgallo51]

Mr Struck said an American attack on Iraq without a UN mandate would be "difficult to justify according to international law".

Hey Mr. Struck! How about the UN mandate to disarm Sadam? Why no concern about his disregard for international law? What are you afraid of, Mr. Struck? That we might find out just how much you progressive appeasers have helped Sadam with his arsenal? That keeping you up late at night, Stucky?

[MJY1288]

"Hey Mr. Struck! How about the UN mandate to disarm Sadam? Why no concern about his disregard for international law? What are you afraid of, Mr. Struck? That we might find out just how much you progressive appeasers have helped Sadam with his arsenal? That keeping you up late at night, Stucky?"

Bingo..... You sir.. hit the nail on the head. I just wonder what they will say when Saddam launches a few nuclear tipped scuds into Israel or Saudi Arabia? My guess is Mr. Struck will be dialing 1-800-COL-LECT to the White House with a plea to save them once again

[Redbob]

What is the attraction Germans seem to find in fascist dictators?
Is it really that hard for them to think for themselves?

[dts32041]

Wasn't it a german firm who helped build Saddams Command and control bunkers in the first place?

Maybe they are afraid of being compromised again.

[MJY1288]

Gerhard Schroeder (sp?) is up for election and he is trying to show the multitudes of Liberals cowards in Germany that he to is a Pu$$y

[Welsh Rabbit]

Peter Struck, the defence minister, said: "If the danger arises that our soldiers could become involved in a military conflict against Iraq, the parliamentary resolution [which enabled the unit to be sent to Kuwait] would no longer cover it."

Oh no! We'll never be able to defeat Iraq without Germany! Seriously, these Euro-wussies are just flattering themselves thinking we need their help or approval one way or another.

[11B3]

Deutschland under alles. (More like under Saddam it seems to me - but now they've even sunk lower than France. I'll bet the Easters look at their new nation and think "What a bunch of pussies! Why did we come back to these idiots?")

[marron]

Not to keep beating a dead horse, but NATO is a dead letter.

And if this is an example of EU foreign policy, and it is, the EU is fast fading into irrelevancy.

I think it is clear that we need to start thinking about where we are going to base our troops in the future. There is no longer any reason or advantage to keeping them based in Germany. Germany is no longer faced with any imminent military threat, and it is natural that they have lost interest in the alliance that bought them their existence over the last half century.

It may be annoying, but it is human.

Our whole military strategy is based on the "forward basing" of our forces, but having them on the European land mass, where we have to ask permission to use them makes no sense. In the aftermath of the events soon to unfold in the middle east, it may make more sense to base them there.

After Baghdad has been liberated, the complexion of the region is going to change dramatically. I think we will find it much more comfortable than Germany in a couple of years from now.

I envision a series of bases from Dhahran, to Baghdad, to the Stans. Large scale maneuvers with the Russians and the Indians. Pre-positioning us for what comes next, if the Chinese get snotty with us.

[Texasforever]

It appears to me that our "allies" are quickly becoming enemy combatants.

[kaylar]

It may seem like a terrible thing to suggest this as a reason for killing Iraqi civilians and putting the lives of our servicemen in harm's way, BUT-

So much nonsense is being spewed by the EU re : International law, the need to ask the UN for permission (as if it's already a global overlord!), etc, that I think we HAVE to attack Iraq or appear as if we support (or at least are afraid to oppose) "global governance."

There are other good reasons to go after Saddam-to prevent him from building ever more lethal weaponry, to give the Muslim countries the show of strength that seems to be the only thing they respect and understand-but I believe an attack on Iraq without the UN's approval will help set back global governance.

[MJY1288]

Maybe not enemy combatants, But they sure seem to have taken a page from the Jane Fonda School of "Recognizing The Enemy"

[dgallo51]

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. We ain't in Kansas anymore Toto!

[dgallo51]

THAT sir, was a low blow!

[nravoter]

What is the attraction Germans seem to find in fascist dictators?
Is it really that hard for them to think for themselves?

Reminds me of:

"Today marks Springfield's first 'Do What You Want' Festival--a welcome change from the 'Do As We Say' Festival, started by German immigrants in 1946."

--Reporter Kent Brockman from The Simpsons--

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

It appears to me that our "allies" are quickly becoming enemy combatants.

GERMANY ? an allie? i never thought of them as one to begin with hell the whole country is filled with hate mongers

[Texasforever]

GERMANY ? an allie? i never thought of them as one to begin with hell the whole country is filled with hate mongers

That's why I put the word allies in quotes.

[RightWhale]

it would pull a crucial nuclear, chemical and biological investigation unit out of Kuwait if it took place.

When Saddam capitulates, about 100,000 American inspectors will swarm the country of Iraq. Europe need not participate.

[Paleo Conservative]

It's too bad the atomic bomb was not ready in time to use it on Germany in World War II.

[Paleo Conservative]

When Saddam capitulates, about 100,000 American inspectors will swarm the country of Iraq. Europe need not participate.

The Europeans will also be left out of the occupation and rebuilding phase. I wouldn't be surprised if Iraq repudiates the foreign debt accumulated under Saddam to fund his military buildup. When we lift the "no fly zone" and allow commercial aviation I expect the Iraqis will be buying Boeing and not Airbus planes.

[Mr. Mojo]

The firebombing of Hamburg and Dresden killed more people than the Hiroshima blast.