Munich Conference Opens With Sharp Differences Over Iraq (RUMSFELD ALERT)

Deutsche Welle ^ | February 8, 2003 | Deutsche Welle

[americanbychoice]

German companies are complaining that their exports to the U.S. are projected to have a 10% loss. It would bring Germany into a recession and increase the unemployment drastically. I would say that the rise of the Euro against the dollar coupled with American reluctance to buy German is starting to be felt.

[longjack]

Translated from "Die Welt" News Ticker. This report is off the ticker now.

Berlin (dpa) The US has put investments in further expansion of their bases in Germany on hold. Reports "Welt am Sonntag". The paper sources a US Defense department Communiqué. The report indicates all unnecessary projects should be stopped. This affects construction projects for the US Air Force in Rhineland-Palatinate worth a figure of 100 million Euro. On US Airbase Ramstein five currently licensed projects worth 70 million Euro are questionable.

erschienen am 07.02.2003 um 22:12 Uhr © WELT.de

"Die Welt" News Ticker..

1 Euro = c. 1$

longjack

[gaspar]

There has been a hardcore anti-American and pro-Marxist strain in western Germany. It has dominated the left leadership ever since the days of Willy Brandt (and his Marxist secretary and spy for East Germany). Don't expect gratitude from Fischer and his bunch for the sacrifices Americans have made on their behalf. You won't get it.

[expatpat]

Good. Nail Schroeder and Fischer to the wall.

Also, the wonderfully-named Klaus Kinkel and Peter Struck.

[mikenola]

Seems to me that alot of Europeans, deep in their pessimistic, fatalist hearts, were more or less OK with Sept. 11 .

With "friends" like the Europeans, who needs enemies? sheesh

[Faraday]

There is this assumption in Europe (and much of the rest of the world) that because the US is the big dog on the block, it must accomodate the yapping of the poodles done for their own domestic audiences. In normal times, I understand this. However, now is not "normal". The European navel gazers have not come to the realization that a struggle for the future of civilization is underway. And it particularly rankles after 50 years of US blood and treasure have been expended in defense of these ingrates. (And Germany/France used that defense umbrella as an opportunity to develop a socialist welfare state.) All countries should be aware that the world is being reshaped, and the passive won't have a voice in that process.

[Paraclete]

Besides depriving the German economy of dollars now, this also sends the message that perhaps we question the wisdom of making a longer term military investment in Germany.

Something for them to ponder.

[Dog Gone]

I think it's important to realize that this is a crisis for Germans, too. They have fallen into the trap of socialism and the utopian promises it offers. They have gone so far as to have Green Party members in key cabinet positions.

Socialism and utopianism are fine as long as there is plenty of wealth and no hard choices to make in the world. But, now the policies that destroy wealth are nearly complete. Things that seem so wonderful, like government-paid vacations for the unemployed, can't be sustained.

Unemployment is soaring (hardly a surprise, since you always get more of what you subsidize), and investment is falling. Raising taxes is the worst possible solution, but the only one which socialists know. Cutting their utopian social safety net would be a repudiation of their own core beliefs.

Putting it into a context of the requirements that the EU makes of all member nations only makes things worse. Germany is so far out of compliance that it wouldn't qualify for EU admittance.

Now, a war in Iraq threatens the economic ties it has there, which is the last thing they want. With the utopian peace movement having established itself so firmly among Germans, it's hardly a wonder that the socialist government opposes war in Iraq.

But the government is in a no-win situation. It has alienated the richest nation on earth, and economic ties to it are seriously threatened. There is no way out for the current German government, except to repudiate their own beliefs. I don't know if they can do that. I rather doubt it.

But the German people will soon recognize, if they don't already, what these failed policies and beliefs have brought to the country. We saw a glimpse of that in the state elections last week, where the ruling party got slaughtered.

It's going to be difficult for Germany to readjust its mindset and abandon the utopian promises of the current government. But Germans are not stupid people. They wanted to believe the lies, but those lies have now been exposed. The hardcore German left won't abandon their principles, but I think the average German will.

Unfortunately, that may take several difficult years to accomplish.

[Domestic Church]

"extending NAFTA as an alternative to Eastern Europe"

As much as I detest NAFTA, this would be fun to watch!

[July 4th]

Pulling out of NATO (thereby killing it) would have another beneficial effect. It would force all of the continental Europeans to spend money on defense. It might go a long way in helping to dissolve some of the socialism, as they'd have to immediately divert funds.

[Domestic Church]

"All countries should be aware that the world is being reshaped, and the passive won't have a voice in that process."

Worth repeating! This will turn into a major eurosocialist land/$$$ grab if we let it.

[livius]

Actually, a lot of "Italian" olive oil comes from Spain, because it's excellent olive oil, but the Spanish are too disorganized to market it themselves.

However, that said, the EU has managed to make many countries dump their own specialties. The Spanish clementine and citrus market has been undercut by the EU by giving favorable treatment to Morocco. And at EU orders, the Spanish also had to cut down large numbers of their olive trees and rip out their vineyards (to make way for GERMAN wines!).

Granted, Spain and Italy get some funds for infrastructure things (preserving monuments, etc.) from the EU, but I think it doesn't really outweigh the destruction of their own industries and their feeling that they have lost national sovereignty.

I think one thing that we are seeing with the many countries who are joining the US and Britain at this time is a rejection of the German/French control that has been imposed on them through the EU.

[sheik yerbouty]

We shouldn't buy their products either.

[Yudan]

That's a great idea, Ivan.

The North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement. I like that.

Yudan

[jimkress]

We SHOULD send more inspectors to Iraq! About 300,000 of them armed with infantry weapons, tanks, artillery, planes, etc. They should disarm Iraq by inspecting and blowing up all suspected sites, facilities, and weapons they find. They should also shoot anyone who attempts to interfere with their inspection activities.

These are the ONLY inspectors who will make a difference.

[SevenofNine]

Cheers sweetie dahlingsssss Rummy

Hey Ivan actually Rummy is very right on the money NEW Europe aka Czech Republic and Romania telling Dubya go for it Dubya lay smackdown on Saddam

I think Germany finally realizing they are not our little buddy anymore because of steadfast not go after Saddam

Yeah they been hanging out with coward France with too long


Rackkk Rummy for point that out

[OldFriend]

sick willie used NATO as his vehicle for attacking Serbia. The leftist freedom hating minions over there went gladly into their bombers and we, to our everlasting shame, followed our evil president.

[Wphile]

Germany chose this route when they elected Schroeder on his anti-American platform. They deserve what they get and I hope the US doesn't give Germany the time of day.

The Germans are trying to lay the blame on the US for the deterioation in the US-German relationship. Sorry, guys...you started it. You made your bed, now it is time to lie in it.

[bandleader]

I wonder who is going to play"Neville Chamberlain"at this"Munich Conference",and whose country will be given away?

[Trust but Verify]

Sounds like a plan to me!