Germany says No to Iraq deployment even after attack on UN.

Yahoo - Germany / dpa ^ | August 20, 2003 | Yahoo - Germany / dpa

[longjack]

Wednesday August 20th, 2003, 17:42

Berlin also not sending any soldiers even after the attack on the UN

Berlin (dpa) -- The Federal Government is not considering a German Armed Forces deployment even after the devastating attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. The Federal Government explained in Berlin on Wednesday that the question never arose. In the opinion of the Union [CDU - lj], this refusal endangers the consent of the USA to a broader mandate by the United Nations.

Coalition and opposition support a stronger role by the UN and spoke in dismay about the death of Iraq special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Secretary of State Joschka Fischer (Greens) told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Thursday edition) that the United Nations Security Council defined clearly in its Resolution 1483 that the responsibility for stability in Iraq lies with the coalition of the USA and Great Britain. "We wanted a central role for the UN". The attack on Tuesday with at least 20 dead indicates the enormous challenges in post-war Iraq. "The tasks of stabilization, pacification, and reconstruction are perhaps greater than some have imagined."

He countered the reproach that the government wants to expand its engagement in Afghanistan to avoid a deployment in Iraq. "We didn't participate in this war for good reasons. But, we don't have to redeem a pawn ticket because of this and we don't feel under any pressure, either". Fischer's spokesman, Walter Lindner, said the government helps humanitarianly on a large scale. "Our engagement there is impressive." Christian-Democratic Group Vice Chair Wolfgang Schäuble argueded in the "Financial Times Germany" that with a UN mandate Berlin should be ready with a contribution within the framework of its ability.

The rest of the article, which has some quotes by other foreign politicians regarding de Mello, is here:

Yahoo - Germany /dpa ...."Berlin schickt auch nach Anschlag auf UN keine Soldaten"

Translated by longjack

[longjack]

The quotes from Fischer confirm my idea of what he's like. A little to much of the snotty, 60's punk type for my liking.

longjack

[prairiebreeze]

But, we don't have to redeem a pawn ticket because of this and we don't feel under any pressure, either".

Could be because they are ranked # 48 or some such number on the Most LIkely to Be Struck By Terrorists List. Guess that's what all that butt-kissing gets them.

Prairie

[shadeaud]

Kofi didn't think the U.N. would be under any threat because of his anti-Bush attitude. Da Muddah land is under the same impression. When Berlin gets a terrorist attack from a Mooselem group will they keep their head in the sand