The Nazi influence is clearly visible.....
Semper Fi
Posted on 02/14/2003 5:35:37 PM PST by Ranger
Nation also bans military overflights
PARIS Austria on Friday lined up with other European Union countries opposing U.S. plans for a possible war in Iraq by saying it would not allow American troops to cross its soil on the way to the Middle East unless the UN Security Council approved a resolution authorizing military action.
Citing the country's neutrality, the defense minister, Herbert Scheibner, said the troops would not be allowed to cross the country by road or rail, and military overflights were also banned.
"Should there be a new UN mandate, we would have to reconsider," he said.
The U.S. defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, complained that Austria's action was adding several days to the journeys of American soldiers on their way from Germany to Italy, but government officials in Vienna complained that he failed to recognize that as a neutral country, recognized as such by the United States in 1955, it could not become involved in military preparations.
"Evidently he took us to be a NATO country," said Caspar Einem, a former interior minister. Rumsfeld also has offended Germany, by lumping it with Cuba and Libya as countries that do not want to support the United States in a possible war with Iraq.
Led by France and supported also by Belgium, the European camp opposing President George W. Bush is insisting that UN weapons inspectors be given more time to ensure that Iraq does not possess weapons of mass destruction before launching an attack.
Those governments were in tune with a large part of the European public, which may become apparent on Saturday when millions take part in anti-war marches.
The French, Germans and Belgians opened up a deep rift in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization earlier this week by refusing to authorize shipments of defensive missiles and other equipment to Turkey in case of attack by Iraq. They said this would amount to preempting a decision by the United Nations on whether or not to authorize force to ensure that Iraq disgorges any weapons of mass destruction it may have.
Although this has been viewed as a betrayal by the U.S. administration, the Turkish foreign minister, Yasar Yakis, attempted to play down the impact of the resistance by the three countries.
"We are NATO allies and, according to the North Atlantic Treaty, if any country is exposed to danger or attacked by a third country, the other member countries of NATO will regard this attack as an attack on their own country and they will take all necessary measures."
Diplomats said the NATO row was of more political than military significance. Firstly, it took place in the North Atlantic Council, where France has a voice, rather than in NATO's defense planning committee, where detailed military planning takes place, and from which France stands aloof. Secondly, some NATO countries are willing to send bilateral aid to Turkey while waiting for a UN resolution. Indeed, the Dutch government Friday began shipping three batteries of Patriot missiles to defend Turkey against Iraqi Scuds.
Meanwhile, Yakis and the economy minister, Ali Babacan, were in Washington trying to negotiate an aid package in return for allowing possibly tens of thousands of American troops into Turkey for a northern offensive into Iraq. In the meantime, the Turkish Parliament has authorized the upgrading of ports and airfields to receive U.S. forces.
The Italian government also on Friday said it had authorized the United States to use its ports, railroads, highways and other infrastructure if needed for a war. But while Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has staunchly supported Bush, the government also is insisting on a UN resolution to give international legitimacy to a war.
Out of the darkness!
Actually, they didn't. Austria was neutral during the Cold War as well...
Semper Fi
I propose we do a work-around,for the current emergency.Afterwards, it will be a fairly simple matter to choose the best revenge option.
Hopefully,we all remember the trouble the French caused us regarding airspace on our way to Libyia?
Oh that's right, we have yet to pay back France for that incident!No wonder Austria feels "froggy"! LOL!
Actually, actually, actually. While Austria has never been a member of NATO, they have been a regular guest at NATO conferences from its inception to this day. Austrian diplomats and top government officials have openly expressed their appreciation for the U.S. defense of Europe, especially during those peak periods of open Soviet aggression.
These recent displays of hostility from some European nations toward the U.S. is nothing new and nothing to fret about. We should all be completely unmoved and unconcerned about their opposing voices. Actually.
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