Germany praises Bush olive branch

CNN ^ | 08/09/2003

[Michael81Dus]

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- The German government said praise by U.S. President George W. Bush for German peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan showed attempts to bridge a transatlantic rift over the war in Iraq were bearing fruit.

Officials in Washington and Berlin have been working hard behind the scenes to mend fences between the two traditional allies in recent months, and Bush's comments were one of the most public signs yet that relations could be improving.

[LibKill]

Bush is implacable in battle and gracious in victory.

[Michael81Dus]

LOL.
Actually, this is indeed a good sign. Now the next step is on the German government to improve relations.

What some Freepers do not understand is, that the cooperation with Germany is excellent - on nearly all levels. The only problem between both governments was the Iraq war, and nothing else.

I hope that more here will understand that Germany is not the enemy...

[KellyAdmirer]

We achieved our objectives in Iraq and Germany never really got in the way. Germany is very friendly and useful overall, I have nothing wrong with a correct relationship with it.

France, on the other hand....

[mrtysmm]

Is it possible that the German gov't is afraid we will pull our troops out of there? That would hurt their economy which is already in the dumpster.

[kimosabe31]

Now the next step is on the German government to improve relations.

Actually, the next step is for the German people to kick Schroeder and his leftist groupies out on their asses and replace them with people that have a firm grasp of present day realities. Western Europe and the US are targets of islamic world domination and must be dealt with by more than "diversity" and "multicultural" exchange programs.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

He is the master politician. It's going to be a landslide.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I don't think that Germany is the enemy, I think that socialism is the enemy.

[ErnBatavia]

We achieved our objectives in Iraq and Germany never really got in the way.

Memory deficit this morning?

[LibKill]

I think that socialism is the enemy.

That is a good thought. Socialism is evil.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

German Defence Minister Peter Struck will leave for a visit to Afghanistan on Sunday and has called for the international peacekeeping operation to be expanded beyond the capital Kabul after his country hands over command of the force to NATO.

Schroeder plans to address the United Nations on the changing role of Germany in world affairs, the news magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday.

It said Schroeder would call for a U.N. Charter to include rules on when the United Nations should use armed intervention in a country's domestic affairs to stop civil wars and genocide.

Here you will find the crux of the matter. As was said, Germany doesn't want to lose the U.S. bases in Germany but they also want to pursue their socialists NWO. The idea is to make Afghanistan first a NATO, then a UN operation. They also want to deflect the credit due the US for its brave and correct moves in Afghanistan and Iraq. They now want to share in the glory.

Although the US may allow this in order to free up our limited troop numbers for use elsewhere, I see lots of potential trouble from such an arrangement.

[Michael81Dus]

The German government and the German people will understand that the true reasons for the pullout of dozens of thousands US soldiers are the sole decision of the US, and that the US see no necessity of keeping so many in the heart of Europe.

[Michael81Dus]

I fully agree, and I´m working to achieve that aim.

[Michael81Dus]

No, the idea is to make the UN an organization being capable to decide wether military strikes on nations are legal or not. I think that there should be an authority that has the right given by the nations of the world to decide about right or wrong, and I do also think that the UN Charta today is not the adequate answer to the threats and dangers to peace of today.

[BMCDA]

Ain't gonna work ;)

[Mind-numbed Robot]

You are supporting the elimination of sovereignty by individual states. Once the UN charter is amended to give it that authority they will then control the world by de facto fiat.

The UN, like humanity in general, consists of a few doers and many hangers-on. Unless the winners, those who accomplish worthwhile things, are allowed to lead by example the losers will control the world because of shear numbers. The UN as politically representative of the world, and therefore the world, will become one gigantic failed socialist entity.

Another very practical point: What if the UN says that one country should not invade another but the UN is ignored and the country is invaded anyway? What will the UN do? What if China were to invade Taiwan? What would the UN do? My guess is they would do nothing other than wring their hands a little for show. They would be happy for a Communists expansion and would prevent anyone else from interfering.

So, they would not depose a brutal dictator, Saddam, and they are basically powerless to enforce any other prohibition. There are a few countries powerful enough to ignore the UN, those with nuclear weapons. If a few countries are able to ignore the UN how many of them will acquiesce to their demands? China didn't when they invaded North Korea. The good will obey but the bad will ignore. All laws or made to keep the bad in check and the bad routinely ignore them so why go through this foolishness.

All of this is unworkable, feel-good, BS.

[beaversmom]

How can President Bush extend an olive branch? He is Hitler reincarnate afterall.

[Michael81Dus]

We cannot leave the decision about right or wrong to one country. If we had done so, China would decide that invading Taiwan is right. So better have an authority with the most possible independance - without any vetos.

You are right, the winners should lead the UN, and the dictators should be excluded from important decisions (such as right or wrong). Unfortunately, this will not work. China has too much weight to exclude them... just like Russia.

It´s my wish that we can establish such an organization one day (or reform the UN), so that at least the free countries may decide unanimously.

The problem is, that no country is a good one. All serve their interests.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

It´s my wish that we can establish such an organization one day (or reform the UN), so that at least the free countries may decide unanimously.

Free countries can do that now without inviting the rest of the world to participate. NATO is an example of an agreement between free countries. So is the World Trade Organization and many other pacts. They can also withdraw if circumstances change.

The problem is, that no country is a good one. All serve their interests.

The USA is a good country. It is not perfect and not everything it has ever done is good, but by in large, the USA is a good country.

Free enterprise in a free country has the unique ability to turn the selfish interest of each individual into the common good for all. Study it. Learn it. Ayn Rand's works are a good start. She was a Russian emmigrant.

I know you want what is best for all of us but there are ways to accomplish it that work and ways that don't. A representative Republic based on a Constitution like our original one has so far proven to be the best way yet tried. Study it. Learn it.

[kimosabe31]

All laws or made to keep the bad in check and the bad routinely ignore them so why go through this foolishness.

Actually MNR, all law is meant to keep the honest in check and the world safe for the dishonest. I think that's why they call it the "criminal justice system"...justice for the criminal and the shaft for the victims.