Posted on 01/07/2006 6:08:02 AM PST by mcg2000
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in an interview published days before her first visit to the United States, said Washington should close its Guantanamo Bay prison camp and find other ways of dealing with terror suspects.
"An institution like Guantanamo can and should not exist in the longer term," Merkel said in an interview with the weekly magazine Der Spiegel published on Saturday. "Different ways and means must be found for dealing with these prisoners."
Merkel has vowed to repair ties with the United States, severely strained over the U.S.-led Iraq invasion, which her predecessor Gerhard Schroeder strongly opposed.
But her comments to Der Spiegel -- also covering ties with Moscow and the European Union -- suggested she would not shy away from speaking out on issues where disagreement exists.
There is widespread skepticism in Germany about the way the United States is fighting its "war on terror", compounded by the recent scandal over the CIA's abduction and detention of German citizen Khaled el-Masri -- later acknowledged to be a mistake.
Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. detention center in Cuba denounced by human rights activists and many governments, is deeply unpopular in Germany.
Merkel travels to Washington next week for her first visit since becoming chancellor in November, and will meet U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday.
Merkel told Der Spiegel she expected to speak to Bush about the fight against terrorism. "But I want to accentuate that our relationship with the U.S. will not be reduced to talking about fighting terrorism and the Iraq war," she added.
NO FRIENDSHIP WITH RUSSIA
Merkel described relations with the United States as a "friendship", but said the term "strategic partnership" would be more fitting to describe Germany's relationship with Moscow.
"I don't think we share as many of the same values yet with Russia as we do with the United States," she said. "But we have a huge interest in seeing Russia develop in a sensible way." Continued ...
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Just another gasbag Zeppelin that's sprung a leak.
Have you forgotten Afghanistan, and 18 killed German soldiers?
Your right, that was disgracefully. If that is how they are going to handle terrorists I don't care what they think.
I though the AQ guys are no POW, because POW can only be combatants, which those fighters without a uniform cannot be??
So you are saying that Al Qaeada should be treated better than POWs because they have chosen to fight as enemy-combatants. I guess you missed the point of my post. We don't try people while we are at war with them. No one has ever done that and we are not obligated to do it now. Hopefully you will be able to understand that and you will stop with the silly comments about "judging" the people at Guantanamo -- at least until the war is over.
Well, when Angela is elected President of the United States, she can have a say in our policy.
2. The Chancellor isn´t a "b****", just like your President isn´t a "2nd H*****".
1.If he (Hammadi) would have been extradicted to the U.S. like he should have been in the first place, he would not have been set free to commit more acts of terrorism like he surely will attempt now! So the least the Germans are responsible for is extremely bad judgement.
2. So at this point, with this timing, we don't appreciate a big-mouthed Chancellor preaching to us on how to handle people who are threats to our citizens.
3. Anyone engaged in rhetoric comparing President Bush to a mass murderer of millions is delusional along the likes of the lowest of minds over at DU.
Where did I say that these non-combatants shall be treated `better´ than regular POW?? Well, many there are kept in prison for 4 years. There must be some evidence that these people are dangerous. Otherwise, they wouldn´t be there, right? So why don´t you judge them? Or is the evidence not sufficient. The west doesn´t know how to deal with these terrorists properly. Your way isn´t right, that´s what we feel, because it could lead to unjust results, and our way (treating them like normal criminals) isn´t right either, because we often lack evidence and must release them. There must be a right way, or not?!?
Are you incapable of understanding the point that we are not obligated to try people while we are at war with them?
It is worth noting that a signicant number of detainees have been released from Gitmo after being screened by US authorities. It is also worth mentioning that some of those released have rejoined AQ to fight again.
Gitmo is a physical institution. If the prisoners are not held there, they would have to be held elsewhere. Closing Gitmo is meaningless and would only be symbolic.
Why should we judge terrorist under our laws that gives them US citizens protections,when they arent even covered by the geneva convention?
What would the Chancellor of Germany suggest we do with those incarcerated at Gitmo? It's easy to say, 'Close Guantanamo, the world has a problem with the US keeping prisoners there.' But perhaps she was more detailed in her answer and it just didn't make Der Speigel? We have no complaint about her talking to anyone and saying whatever she wishes, but most EU leaders prefer to badmouth the US and GW rather than suggesting practical, sensible alternatives. (The UN isn't practical or sensible.) Should we ask Germany to jail them for whatever length of time they deem appropriate, then set them free to roam the EU at will?
at 1) There was no formal request for extradition in the last 15 years, which would have been the only legal basis not to release him.
at 2) Her comments cannot be called "big-mouthed". You know how the press is, and her comment was one answer among many.
at 3) Anyone insulting a person who hasn´t insulted others but just acted according to her rights has apparently forgotten good manners. Our leaders are respectable persons, which could not be said of Schröder.
"An institution like Guantanamo can and should not exist in the longer term," "Different ways and means must be found for dealing with these prisoners."
That´s what Merkel said. What´s "in the longer term"? Merkel also made clear that it´s your job to find other ways. She doesn´t say "close it now!"
Yeah some of the gitmo detainees have been recaptured after they have been released fighting US and UK forces in Iraq. Give me a break these people would kill any one of us Infidels given the opportunity.
I will give you that.
Isn´t it a right to get a trial lead by a judge? POW have the right to be released as soon as the war is over. Unfortunately, the WOT isn´t a war in the sense of the GC IV. We need to find new ways how to deal with these folks. And we also need some more understanding for the special needs in the WOT. The terrorists cannot be treated exactly like criminals, but they also have basic rights. I mean, everybody must have the chance to get out one day, if he hasn´t committed a crime.
Ok, have a nice weekend!
You just dont get it do you. I guess growing up in a socialist country clouds your judgement. The world isnt some utopia where everyone can get along in harmony. The world is a very dangerous place and they are people out there that wants to end our way of life. Take it for what it is, but these are trying times that call for tough measures.Im done trying to explain this.
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