Posted on 03/07/2003 9:53:35 AM PST by kattracks
Berlin (CNSNews.com) - Adding another sticking point to strained relations with the United States, Germany says its troops will not come to the rescue of American soldiers if they invade Iraq and face a chemical or biological attack there.
German defense minister Peter Struck said Friday that his forces will only defend and assist American soldiers and civilians based in Kuwait, where some German troops are currently stationed.
German soldiers in Kuwait possess equipment to detect contamination by biological and chemical weapons. But if the attack takes place in Iraq, German troops will not go forward to assist U.S. soldiers or their allies.
"Our soldiers will remain in Kuwait because the defense agreement applies to the citizens and American troops stationed in that country," Struck said in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. "The protection of American soldiers advancing in Iraqi territory must be taken on by the Americans themselves."
Germany has stood firm in its view that there should be no war. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reiterated this stance Thursday when he said that the United Nations and the international community should discuss ways to achieve a peaceful solution. On Friday, Germany's foreign minister told the U.N. Security Council that there are "efficienct alternatives to war in Iraq."
After a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the German Chancellor said that Germany, France and Russia agreed that there was no need for a second resolution.
"The cooperation of Iraq has got better, but it still needs further improvement," Schroeder said. "Germany's basic position will remain intact, and it is a very, very firm position."
The German government has also announced that it would not help finance the rebuilding of Iraq if America invades. In 1991, Germany did not play an active military role in the first Gulf War, but it shared a large portion of the financial burden.
Last week, Berlin turned a request by NATO for additional Patriot air defense missiles for Turkey. The German government said that it had already fulfilled its obligation to NATO.
At the same time, however, Germany is prepared to increase the strength of its troops in Kuwait. The defense minister said that he would send additional troops to Iraq's neighbor to maintain security if the U.S. presence at Camp Doha is reduced because of war.
Last week, Germany said that it would send some 30 additional soldiers to join the elite troops operating the Fuchs - vehicles specially fitted with advanced equipment for detecting chemical, biological or nuclear contamination. The vehicles are stationed about 60 miles from the Iraqi border.
The German parliament has authorized the deployment of 800 elite troops in the region.
But the opposition Christian Democratic Union criticized the defense minister for his position on assistance to U.S. troops.
Friedbert Pflueger, the CDU foreign policy spokesman, described the move as "dangerous and unwise."
"I can't imagine that a German defense minister would deny emergency help for attacked American soldiers in Iraq only kilometers from where the Fuchs are stationed," Pflueger said.
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I'm leaning more and more toward the "France wants a new world alignment" theory, adding to the "France has a lot to hide" theory.
They're going to get their "new world alignment," all right.
Thats funny, my ex use to say the same thing about me. It took me some time to realize what he was talking about.
Lemme get this straight....The Germans.....won't come to the aid of American troops....if they are attacked...... with weapons that Germany says Iraq doesn't have????
Gawd... this is almost as funny as the c**t Pelosi saying that if we attack the Iraqi's will attack us with the weapons that they don't have....
Is anyone else confused???
Semper Confused
Even though I am/was not for this war against Iraq, I know I will not forget.
Now that the decision is made, I support our President, our military and our country.
Lass sie nach Berlin kommen: Frau Komm!
-archy-/-
And how did they "protect" us after 9/11?
That's like an ant protecting an elephant.
Indeed. And now we hear that Saddam has set his troops up with American uniforms. Good ones.
Anyone thought of checking inventory in NATO stores in Germany?
And what exactly were they looking for, Iraqi tanks?
That was nothing but window dressing.
Starting today, take one or two German products to the front checkout counter with your other stuff; then, in front of and within ear shot of other shoppers, say "oh my. Hey, this one's MADE IN GERMANY. We don't want it".
Just leave it there for the restock bin.
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