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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."

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

Not a bad idea.

Here's the "Die Welt" article.

SPD undersecretary Kolbow calls Bush, "dictator"

Kolbow to Bush: That's not a partner, but a dictator."

Berlin - CSU Bundestag Representative Dorothee Mantel demanded in a parliamentary enquiry to the Federal Government information about remarks critical of America by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Walter Kolbow (SPD).

According to a report in the "Kitzinger Zeitung" on the Friday, Kolbow identified US President Bush as a dictator. In Mainbernheim near Würzburg he said literally: "Bush places himself economically and politically absolutely one-sided without considering anyone else. This is not a partner, but a dictator."

The undersecretary qualified this vis-à-vis WELT am SONNTAG: "I had given a forceful political speech and welcomed the presence of American soldiers on Political Ash Wednesday." Because of the decisions taken by the USA he had said, "that the Americans show themselves more and more the dictator of one-sided decisions".

Kolbow referred to a report of "Main-Post" which had reported about his speech: "The Americans showed themselves more and more as the dictator 'of the one-sided decisions'." However, the author of this report, Torsten Schleicher, adds that he is "sure that by 'Americans' Kolbow had meant the U.S. Administration". Furthermore, Kolbow said about U.S. Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, he sat "across from him, it wasn't enjoyable". Rumsfeld should "First of all, learn diplomatic manners". rgr

Artikel erschienen am 9. Mär 2003

SPD-Staatssekretär Kolbow nennt Bush "Diktator"

Translated by longjack

I tried to keep the word order in he quotes as close to literal German as I could.

Also when talking about Rumsfeld. the translation could be, It wasn't amusing.. or enjoyable.. or..pleasurable." And, it could be "first of all he should learn diplomatic manners..decorum..propriety..decency". It's hard to determine which one he actually said.

longjack