German Official: U.S. Acting Like 'Dictator'

Reuters | 3/09/03

[kattracks]

March 9

— BERLIN (Reuters) - A German junior minister said on Sunday the United States was behaving like a dictator over the Iraq crisis, a statement likely to put relations between Washington and Berlin under further strain.

"The Americans look more and more like dictators with their unilateral decisions," Walter Kolbow, junior minister in the Defense Ministry, was quoted as saying in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

Kolbow confirmed to Reuters he had made the remarks and said they referred to the U.S. stance on Iraq and environmental issues.

Transatlantic tensions remain high over Germany and other European nations' opposition to a U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Kolbow said his comments were a criticism of the phrase used by U.S. leaders: "Anyone who is not with us, is against us."

Kolbow said he was addressing a meeting of Social Democrats at a traditional Ash Wednesday political rally in the Bavarian town of Mainbernheim. The rallies tend to be spirited affairs.

"You tend to express yourself a bit more strongly at the Ash Wednesday rally in Bavaria than you do at a gathering of diplomats," Kolbow said.

Kolbow also said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a dangerous dictator who oppressed his people. "He's the best monitored dictator that I know of," Kolbow was quoted telling the rally.

Last year, relations between Washington and Berlin were soured after Justice Minister Herta Daeubler-Gmelin reportedly compared Bush's political tactics with Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder did not reappoint Daeubler-Gmelin to his new cabinet after winning an election in September although some commentators said his decision not to fire her immediately was viewed in a poor light by Washington.

German conservative opposition leaders called on Kolbow to resign.

Kolbow denied a version of his speech reprinted in a Bavarian newspaper, the Kitzinger, where he was quoted calling President Bush a dictator, rather than the administration.

[piasa]

If we were dictators, we would simply draft the Germans and make them fight, and shoot any who disagree.

The Germans are alligning themselves with a genuine dictator in their haste to avoid being labeled part of a western "posse."

[rageaholic]

Yeah well, to these limp-wristed euroweenies, any assertive conservative white male is a "dictator". What's up with Joscka Fischer? He looks like Shirley Temple sucking on a lemon.

[dighton]

Dictators, Bavaria, "spirited" political rallies. This is far too tempting.

[Cachelot]

What's up with Joscka Fischer? He looks like Shirley Temple sucking on a lemon.

Fischer has a terrorist background, and now you mention it he does look a little f*ggy. Ernst Röhm wannabe?

[The Duke]

The Germans and the French don't understand how critical this war is to the world economy - if they did they'd be getting with the program!

[CavScoutNC]

It's time to cut the ties that binds with Germany. We funnel billions of dollars into their economy thru our troops and bases. Let's close the bases in Germany and build them in Bulgaria and Estonia!

They support us and they would be more appreciative of the money and support we can give.

[Paleo Conservative]

If we were dictators, we would simply draft the Germans and make them fight, and shoot any who disagree.

Not a bad idea.

[ffusco]

Is this a genuine criticism or Jealousy?

[Just mythoughts]

Sounds like more than just the Clintons are upset with a freedom loving and protecting President of the US.


Everytime one of the socialist pukes spew, reveals a whole lot more of what it is they expected or maybe promised from the Clintons.

The socialist of the world are working hand and hand with the Clintons and socialists in our country to stop President Bush, and actually believe they will be successful.

Brazen attempts to stop Bush and apparently no fear of severed relationship, got to be more to this than what appears to be. Amazing to watch the worlds nations expose themselves before our very eyes, these things are not usually done in public view, until the plan is sewed up.

[rageaholic]

Exactly. Fischer, a repulsive, obfuscating liberal weenie with a terrorist background is the German idea of a "good politician" and we're supposed to respect their general opinion of Bush?

[americanbychoice]

Joschka Fischer is planning on being appointed the President of the new EU. This War may be upstting his plans.

[Paleo Conservative]

No, we're just doing to Saddam what should have been done to Hitler in 1935 or '36.

[The Wizard]

just what i would expect from a country that stood by and allowed Hitler

[John Jorsett]

Kolbow also said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a dangerous dictator who oppressed his people. "He's the best monitored dictator that I know of," Kolbow was quoted telling the rally.

Apparently Kolbow is content to have Saddam butcher the people of Iraq as long as he's monitored while doing so.

[tessalu]

And Germany is acting like Hitler again. She thinks that people just should sit back and allow themselves to be wiped out!

[Man of the Right]

Where's the 8th Air Force when we really need it?

[Mr. Mojo]

Fischer ..... he does look a little f*ggy .....Ernst Röhm wannabe?

Excellent observation. He would've fit right in with the brown shirt beer hall faggot orgy culture of the early 30's.

[aquitaine]

and the Germans are acting more and more like COWARDS.

[Dog Gone]

Kolbow said his comments were a criticism of the phrase used by U.S. leaders: "Anyone who is not with us, is against us."

And that makes us dictators?

No, it means that Germany is against us. Duly noted.