Germany Seethes Over Rumsfeld Jibe, Protests Planned

Reuters | 2/07/03

[Michael81Dus]

Still, inacceptable. The US government behaved so reasonable in that frozen relationship. Now Rumsfelds statement is a welcomed aim for (leftist) German criticism on the whole US policy. Saying that was so silly!

Now we all blame Rumsfeld for this fault - and the Leftists try to make it seen as the US governments position. Not helpful at all.

[MassExodus]

"Germany is and remains a reliable alliance partner"

... with France.

[geedee]

The Iraq conflict has no relations to Al Quaida...

THIS is why we're so pissed off. Our government says there is a relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda. You and the majority of the German people have DECIDED to believe what Iraq says instead of what we say.

Is THAT the way partners act?

[An.American.Expatriate]

I think I finally see where Michael has a Problem. He would rather that we criticize Schröder specifically and not the Germans as a whole!

While I would tend to agree that this would be "better", the fact of the matter is that "the People" of a country are often judged by thier leaders statements.

And Michael, even if a majority of Germans were to come out and support the US, unless and until Schröder & Co. do, all Germans will be judged by thier actions, fair or not. We Americans have been living with this for years.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Germany IS a partner...

That is the point of the comment. When your "partner" can be counted on to provide no more help than your enemies, they are in the process of "dissolving" the partnership.

Rumsfeld's statement had a purpose. It was meant to illuminate the path that Germany is embarking upon in these very serious times.

If the primary response of Germans is to protest merely to show their offense at the chracterization, so be it. As I said, sometimes the truth hurts.

[Michael81Dus]

Hey, has anyone a proof that Al Quaida works with Saddam?
We agree that there´s evidence of not cooperating with the UN and hiding WMD, but I have no reasonable suspicion that Iraq has connections to Al Quaida.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Im sorry Micheal, this quote is from Schröder and is directed at GWB, not at Rumsfeld. He is complaining that he is not consulted enough in an affair in which he has already said he will never agree. It was from LAST YEAR before the elections.

[Michael81Dus]

Absolutely, but that´s not the only thing. It´s ok to criticize Schröder, but it´s not true that Germany doesn´t provide more help than Lybia or Cuba.

[1Old Pro]

Al Qaida planned WTC attack in Hamburg, that's Germany.<?I>Iraq uses MIRAGE jets to test biological weapons dispersal (That's a FRENCH jet).</P> Germany and France are hindering the war on terror. France is half muslim so they don't feel any mass murders will occur on their soil, the homeland of radical muslims.

[bray]

I am outraged, OUTRAGED that Rumsfeld did not include the TraitoRat Party with Cuba and Libia as allies to Saddam.

Pray for GW and the Troops

[PBRSTREETGANG]

but I have no reasonable suspicion that Iraq has connections to Al Quaida.

Secretary Powell provided ample evidence from which a "reasonable suspicion" could be drawn. Sorry you don't see it that way.

[Michael81Dus]

Don´t forget that German special troops fight along with yours in the hills of Afghanistan, that Germany has the largest contingent of the ISAF, that German Navy is on patrol at Somali coast line, that German soldiers guard US bases in Germany, that German ABC defensive specialists protect US bases in Kuwait, that Germany has sent two batteries of Patriot Air Defense systems to Israel...

[An.American.Expatriate]

Michael,

please detail you vast experience in intelligence matters which allows you to make this statement!

please explain exactly what kind of proof would be acceptable to you. Then explain why we should release it to you and compromise our intelligence sources.

Your Government has been informed of the evidence and they have ignored it. Collin Powell told "a bit" of what he could and the world dismisses it.

Let me say one thing LOUD AND CLEAR. Al Quaida poses a CLEAR AND PRESENT danger to the US. The US has evidence which causes it to beleive BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT that IRAQ is assisting Al Quaida. WE DO NOT NEED ANYONES PERMISSION TO DEFEND OURSELVES. We have been patiently trying for almost a year to convince the world of our cause because we feel it is right to do so, not because it is required of us.

[mewzilla]

Hey, has anyone a proof that Al Quaida works with Saddam?

Uh, yeah. Where've you been? The name Zarcawi (sp?) ring a (cell phone) bell...

[John Lenin]

The dig at Germany by Rummy could be much deeper than we know .
The Germans sure put two and two together on that statement. Germany may not have a military but they seem to be allied with Al Queda pretty well.

[A2J]

Now, with his behaviour, he makes me thinking if we shouldn´t call for the withdrawal of all US soldiers out of Germany.

Good idea, especially since the might of the U.S. military has shielded you from the now-pansy Russians.

But remember one thing: with us goes our money, which means you'll have to come back begging at some point in the future and at a time when you may have the door slammed in your ungrateful face.

[lawgirl]

Who cares?

That is EXACTLY what I thought!! LIke I give a crap what Der Vaterland has to say. They spend a humongous part of the last century waging war and now they're pacifists? yeah right. More like they have guilty consciences and don't want to be seen as a warrior country.

[geedee]

...and the Leftists try to make it seen as the US governments position.

You're missing the point. That is the government's position!! Schroeder sucker-punched President Bush to get reelected. Texans don't like being sucker-punched.

Pee Wee Clinton's pacifist, impotent BS is what got us in the box we find ourselves in. President Bush has the balls to get us out.

To say I'm shocked with your posts today is an understatement. I know you're a student in Germany, and our kind of conservative most of the time, but you've got your panties on inside-out on this issue. Get pissed off if you want to...but the facts and history are on our side.

Rumsfeld stated facts. You and the rest of the German public decided to interpret his facts to suit your innate anti-American attitudes. Rumsfeld said Libya, Cuba, and Germany had decided not to help the U.S. under any circumstances. YOU made the intellectual leap that that statement compared Germany to Libya and Cuba. Rumsfeld DID NOT say it.

If there is a lotta protesting going on in Munich, bet the house that there will be an American response. President Bush and most Americans are sick of the European back-stabbing that has been going on for decades.

[Michael81Dus]

Say it how clear you want. Shout it. That doesn´t makes it better. I´ve to learn some stuff of property rights, punishment law and family law until I´ll be here again. I´ll answer at 7pm EWCT.

I have no hint and it is not given to the media. To judge about a reason why attack Iraq, I need to get informations. I got these of the Iraqi WMD programs, but not of Al Quaida-relations. So, you don´t have to shout.

[geedee]

Hey, has anyone a proof that Al Quaida works with Saddam?

So you're calling Colin Powell's presentation to the UN a sham? Were you not listening? What in the hell do you want...Saddam's fingerprint on an al Qaeda bomb?