Posted on 12/14/2002 2:40:01 PM PST by knighthawk
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder may find himself in yet another embarrassing position regarding decisions on Iraq as the German navy gets warning of a potential call-up under its NATO obligations.
According to a report on Saturday in the German newspaper Die Welt, the German navy, as part of its NATO obligations, could be mobilized in the event of war against Iraq, the paper said on Saturday.
In the article, it is suggested that German ships, as part of the NATO force currently based in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, could be enrolled to escort the US fleet carrying troops or supplies towards Iraq in the event of war. Die Welt reported that such assistance has already been requested in an "unofficial manner" by Washington.
Struck says marines are in no danger of involvement
Defense Minister Peter Struck said in an updated statement on the newspaper's Web site that "German marine soldiers were in no danger of involvement in any possible Iraq conflict."
On Wednesday, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he would allow German to crew AWACS surveillance aircraft in the event of war on Iraq as long as they were seen to be involved in a NATO support role only. It was an apparent softening of the German government's previous hardline opposition to any role in a US-led offensive against Saddam Hussein's regime.
"Our alliance obligations will be met, but Germany will not take part in any military intervention," he told German television.
Campaign promises are broken again
Schroeder had said during a successful re-election campaign in September that Germany would not join in any war on Iraq, with or without a UN mandate. The staunch position was popular in Germany but caused the frostiest relations with the United States since the Second World War.
The chancellor later changed his stance, saying that while Berlin stood by its refusal to join in with any conflict, US and NATO forces would be allowed overflight rights and use of bases in Germany.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Euroweany cowards!
Tirpitz
Or, in reference to Germany, Eurowienie?
Pronounced Oy-ro-veen-ie...
Yep, gassing unarmed defenseless Jews is the epitomy of bravery.
E-mail from the USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81)You might have seen or heard about this one, thanks to Helmut Linghor for placing this in the newsletter for the Cannstatter, a American-German ethnic organization dedicated to promoting good works in our local community. Germans have stood fast with our country during this time, in fact German special forces were among those first deployed on the ground north of Afghanistan in support of US forces in the area (they have equipment to detect biological and chemical weapons).
This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard the USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81) to his parents. The Churchill is an Arleigh Burke class AEGIS guided missile destroyer, commissioned March 10, 2001, and is the only active US Navy warship named after a foreign national.
Dear Dad,
We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been cancelled. We have spend every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of it. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.
About two hours ago, we were hailed by a German Navy destroyer, Lutjens, requesting permission to pass close by our port side. Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain acquiesced and we prepared to render them honors from our bridgewing. As they were making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and announced that Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag. As she came alongside us, we saw the American flag flying half-mast and her entire crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress uniforms. They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read "We Stand By You." There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and saluted. It was the most powerful thing I have seen in my life. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only half-century ago things were quite different.
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