Germany Will Not Aid US Soldiers In Chemical, Biological Attack

CNSNews.com ^ | 3/07/03 | R. Raghavendra

[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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[GOPJ]

bump

[Paulus Invictus]

You really don't mean to stop Chinese imports do you? Wal-Mart would suffer and we don't want that to happen. American housewives would protest en mass.

[ffusco]

No, but I see German posturing about rigid time tables as more "process" while the French still pretend "moral superiority w/ threat of Veto". More Games, more stalling, more nonsense.

[sruleoflaw]

EVERYONE SHOULD READ KHIDHIR HAMZA'S BOOK 'SADDAM'S
BOMBMAKER'. IT TELLS OF HOW WEST GERMANY SOLD A (AND
PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE) CHEMICAL WEAPONS PLANT TO IRAQ.
THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS PLANT WAS THEN USED TO GAS KURDS.
NOW GERMANY, WHICH GAVE THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TECHNOLOGIES
TO IRAQ, WON'T HELP US. LET THE NEW NAZIS EAT DIRT.

[DuncanWaring]

What are the chances of the Luftwaffe mobilizing against us from within?

I'd say "Pretty slim". Even if they tried, they wouldn't get far.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I guess Germany only takes action when they are USING the poison gas.

[EastCoast]

It's time to move our bases outta' there.

[EastCoast]

Do the G's still own our air force base (Hollander?) in New Mexico? Haven't heard anything about it for several years

[ApesForEvolution]

This after watching "Hart's War" tonight...my digust of the 4th Reich can not be put into words.

[ApesForEvolution]

The ends that people will go to defend the sickos of the 4th Reich never ceases to amaze me. Defenders of canada, the gerdungs, the frogs, the reds of all stripes standing firmly against our security make me ill.

[An.American.Expatriate]

But please explain me, why can´t you tolerate different opinions?

Because France and Germany have both profited from over 50 years of unrestricted solidarity from the US, and now, when the US acts in it's own self defense, Germany and France do nothing but obstruct.

The Germans were reluctant to provide support for the Afghan Campaign. They are outright blocking the Iraq campaign.

Let me tell you something Michael. The American presence in Germany was NEVER a popular with the people of America. It was a necessary "evil" (standing Armies in times of peace to prevent war). You can call it occupation if you like to decieve yourself.

Now, after over 50 years of unrestricted solidarity with Germany & NATO, Germans are "in danger". What do we hear from the German Defense Minister? Oh, if things get too hot, we'll pull out of Afghanistan. Oh, our Fuchspanzers aren't there to actually DO anything, so if you need them - go to hell.

I'm sorry Michael. This is NOT what friends and allies do to one another. Your media and your politicians (with several exceptions...) have been badmouthing America in general for a very long time now. Now Bush is President and, although he is saying EXACTLY the same things the the darling Klintoon said about Iraq and the need to act unilaterally if need be, from the beginning he was criticized and lambasted.

Lastly, France and Germany (and Russia & China) are psing a very serious threat to world peace and stability if they continue to provide weapons to Iraq, Iran, NK etc... The only reason the Axis of Weasle is opposed to the War is because they have too much to loose financially.

[An.American.Expatriate]

They´re showing some positive developments (conviction of 9-11 supporters so it is positive that Germany is convicting people of breaking German law? , keeping large contingents in Afghanistan who are only in Kabul and subject to recall if things get "hot", while 10000 US forces are rebuilding the country , good cooperation between the intelligences except of course when the information provided could be used against a terrorist subject to the death penalty in the US [i.e. all of them], protecting US bases in Germany protecting the spouses and children of the soldiers who are there to protect your nation is a moral obligation, to suggest it in someway shows "support" is sick ). Germany is not interested in ending the transatlantic partnership. "by thier deeds shall thee know them"

[Tin-Legions]

Can't say for sure whether they are unionized, they do however have a very lax work schedule, much like civilians-off at 1630 daily, no weekend work, required daily breaks and the like. They do still allow rather long hair and short beards. Most of the soldiers are actually from the old DDR and they seem to copycat the American soldiers they see: high and tight hair cuts, clean shaven, pressed uniforms, shiny boots and such. Im on the opposite side of Germany, dont really go to Graf all that much being a support soldier.
take care
TL

[SendShaqtoIraq]

"I don´t care what you say. You´re insulting my nation all the time .... I don´t wanna listen to your words..."

Then go away.

Teresa

[taxed2death]

JEEZ...don't get your panties in a bunch :) :) :)

I merely pointed out how some peeps on FR change positions like a wind vane on a barn.

Peace out.

[taxed2death]

Once again, I'm not "defending" any one, merely pointing out how people's view of other countries seems to change around here as fast as diapers on a newborn.

[Calpernia]

Sorry, I don't remember now. If I find them, I'll freepmail you the link to them.

[AmericanInTokyo]

foil, tin. I'm afraid

[Calpernia]

I hope you are right. I wouldn't mind being wrong about this. However, I'm hearing on 1010wins this morning about Russia threatening our actions will be in violation of UN Charter.

I'm sure more about that will be out later.

[ApesForEvolution]

LOL! Yes, the winds of change...vs the winds of a dirty diaper!