Rumsfeld Puts Germany On the Same Level as Libya und Cuba

Yahoo Germany ^ | February 6, 2003 | Reuters

[longjack]

Thursday 6. February 2003, 05:03

Rumsfeld Puts Germany On the Same Level as Libya und Cuba

Washington (Reuters) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put Germany on the same level as Libya or Cuba because of it's position on the Iraq Issue.

These countries will never support a US attack on Iraq or the rebuilding of the country after the war Rumsfeld told the US Congress on Wednesday.

There are a "not-insignificant" number of countries that have already approved support to the US for a military incursion against Iraq or the use of military bases and flyover rights, added Rumsfeld. Other countries have signaled they would help with the rebuilding of Iraq if a change of regime occurs there. "Then there are still 3 or 4 countries that have told us they would do nothing at all", said Rumsfeld. "I think Libya, Cuba and Germany are those that have indicated, they wouldn't help in any way."

Last month Rumsfeld described France and Germany's opposition to a military strike against Iraq as a problem. Both countries don't represent the "New Europe", but represented the "Old Europe". A large number of European countries are on the US?s side on the Iraq issue.

German Readers: Yahoo - Germany

Translated by longjack

longjack

[Michael81Dus]

Eh, it was a comparison. If he didn´t want to insult Germany, he had named Ghana as the third country, not Germany! Or he had said Finland, Germany and Belgium.

I´m wondering why he still is travelling to the international security conference this weekend to Munich.

[The Great Satan]

Hehe. Gotta love Rummy.

[Michael81Dus]

Thanks for the compliment. You obviously had no contact with German troops.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Just a question,

did Finland, Belgium or Ghana state that they would NOT provide any type of support whatsoever (before, during, after)? If so, then you may have a point. Since Rumsfeld said 3 and then listed them, I would tend to think that only these three have catagorically declined to participate.

[justshutupandtakeit]

The significant point is that there is no such thing as a "Palestinian." This label is a creation of the KGB's tools in the region, the PLO and Arafat. "Palestinians" are a collection of Jordanians, Lebanese, Syrian and Eygptians (like Arafatty.) More truthfully they would be called the International Brigade of JewHaters.

[cinFLA]

Thanks for the compliment. You obviously had no contact with German troops.

Not I but I think we did in WW1 and WWII!

[An.American.Expatriate]

Lay off Michael a bit. Check his profile, he's one of us!! Just because we may have a bone to pick with german policies right know is no reason to malaign him and his people needlessly.

[Northeast]

"It does seem though that we are having a polarizing effect in Europe."

I don't believe this to be the case. The actions of the French and the Germans started the polarizing effect, and the other members of the EU are none too pleased by thier power play.

Were Rumsfeld's comments about "Old Europe" and his listing Germany with Cuba and Libya done on purpose? Sure they were! And well thought out, as it informs the REST of the EU and Nato members, that we are on thier side in this power struggle. The EU nations don't want France and Germany ruling over them.

You should be more concerned if Powell (The statesman, good cop) starts making these kinds of comments. Rumsfeld has one job only. Execute the war.

Regards

[lucysmom]

I agree, There is only one problem, In Germany and France there are no visible "Statesmen".

And we should wait for them to produce statesmen because...? If we see ourselves as leaders then let us be responsible and take a leadership position. This means being first, showing the way, not waiting for the other guy.

Schroeder was willing to face down opposition to give us support in Afghanistan

In speeches this week, Schroeder has made clear he will not tolerate any opposition to his policy of unqualified support for the U.S. in the fight against terrorism. In an address yesterday, he specifically warned his coalition's partner, the Green Party, against taking an independent line.

[cinFLA]

Lay off Michael a bit. Check his profile, he's one of us!! Just because we may have a bone to pick with german policies right know is no reason to malaign him and his people needlessly.

I am not amlaigning Michael. If you check back, it was Michael that came onto me (with a smiley) and I came back with a smiley. However, I will feel free to malign the socialists that run Germany and their socialist military.

[americanbychoice]

I agree. He is a good guy.

[cinFLA]

I should have also added: "And Michael is free to malign the socialist in the US as I also do almost every day."

[americanbychoice]

It is also nice to see Michael show some patriotism to his country, something that has been lacking there outside of soccer matches :)

[Wallace T.]

The biggest mistake Germany made in recent times was uniting the formerly Communist East with the democratic, capitalist West. After 40 years of Marxism, the East Germans have become accustomed to cradle to grave socialism. I believe that the old East Germany was instrumental in putting the current left wing regime in power.

[biblewonk]

but adults know that there are negative consequences to that kind of behavior.

Too quaint! I think your 4ths graders are waiting for you.

[Gumdrop]

You are exactly correct! I tried to explain that to an irate sister of mine last weekend. She told me she wes NEVER going to visit Germany, EVER! She is so angry with Germany now. And, would you believe, all of our ancestry is German or a wee bit Luxembourgish? Schroeder has indeed poisoned the relationship between the two countries. What a pity there is no Konrad Adenauer in the wings over in Germany. If there is a very good CDU leader, he/she better come forth quickly.

[Michael81Dus]

Ok, I don´t know of Ghana, but I know of Finland and Belgium. I believe that there´s a huge difference between Germany and Lybia/Cuba. The last are ENEMIES of the US, and the first still is an ally (although not in the war against Iraq but in the war against terrorism).

[Michael81Dus]

Your are right by saying that the East Germans (being more pacifistic and anti-NATO because of their history) are responsible that Schröder still is in power. When West Germany backed strikes against Serbia with more than 80%, more than 60% of them were opposed to the war.

But I disagree that reunification was a fault. In the 1940´s they stood on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain, unvoluntary. We are one people and I will stand to every East German, even if he/she votes for Schröder. They may be a little naive and dumb regarding economy, but they´re a part of my people so that I would never say it was a fault to unite our nation.

[MoGalahad]

The France of Charles Martel and the Germany of the Teutonic Knights are long gone, Greybird. I personally find Rumsfeld's forthrightness to be refreshing.

[riri]

but adults know that there are negative consequences to that kind of behavior.

I am so tired of being held to a standard 50 times that of any other country in the world. France has been filled woth duplicity since the 1970's where Iraq is concerned and Germany, pretty much too. They have probably struck a deal with Saddam behind the scenes so that there cities won't be anthraxed for retaliation against an attack.

We are the only population with a knife to our throats right now. (England, too) but all we are supposed to concern ourselves with are the lives of Iraqi civilians or hurting the feelings of the friggin' French? I don't know what planet your living on.