A Message from Germany [Praise for USA, in today's full-page NYT ad from Germany's leaders]

Various newspapers in Germany ^ | Feb. 16, 2003 | various

[summer]

I was glad to see this ad, but I am still not purchasing German products until German's current political leader starts paying attention to what these other German leaders are telling the world.

These German leaders are saying that a longstanding friendship with the USA is certainly worth preserving, and America has a long and proud history of helping European countries, including Germany. And, Germany REMEMBERS!

While this ad was CERTAINLY a good start, our German friends need to do a lot more at this crucial time in history, IMO.

[Arkinsaw]

Actions speak louder than words. Based on the actions of the last week these words are meaningless to me.

[summer]

I agree, but like I said, I was glad to see this ad - they thanked America and praised America.

Yet, I agree with you - they need to do more, immediately.

[NativeNewYorker]

Lots of buzz in the financial press that German companies have seen an enormous plunge in US orders and difficulties at the negotiation table with Americans, as a result of the German govt's stupidity.

German BUSINESS is mounting a big peace offensive (vis a vis the US market) as a result.

[eabinga]

ping

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,234901,00.html

[thinktwice]

Based on the actions of the last week these words are meaningless to me.

We gave the free world eight years of American government under Bill Clinton; my point being that it's not a good idea to quickly condemn an alliance nation.

[Lexington Green]

Dear Germany-
It will be easier to love you again once you remove your knife from our back. Recall Schroeder.

[summer]

I hear ya. BTW, if our German friends are listening now, maybe they will kindly take note:

FL Gov Jeb Bush leads Spanish Trade Delagation [Jeb now in Spain] (AP)

[summer]

Yes, I agree! :)

[summer]

it's not a good idea to quickly condemn an alliance nation.

True, but the clock is ticking here... Germany needs to get it together, quickly.

[shrinkermd]

If they really want to do something, they should change their vote at the UN and separate themselves from the French.

[eabinga]

Recall Schroeder.

That actually is in today's news. The CDU is pushing for a vote of no confidence.

[summer]

RE your post #11 - Exactly.

[The Real Deal]

I WILL NOT buy anything from Germany, France, China, or Russia. They don't need my business as long as they are supporting saddam instead of the USA.

[gitmogrunt]

Deustchlander,

Ever since 1999 when you manipulated NATO to bomb the Serbs, with your shrill cries of a phony "genocide", I knew I would never trust you again.

Now all your recent antics are proof that there has been a new master plan in operation.

Auf wiedersein, dummkopft.

[justshe]

What is most interesting to me re: the statements/ads etc. emanating from Germany is .....they are esentially leaving France twisting in the wind. Oh, the irony.

[tictoc]

Thank you.

We were talking about this a couple of days ago.

I don't mean to be ungrateful to you, but that machine translation is just awful.

With 90,000+ Freepers, isn't there a kind soul who can scan the text of the advertisement into his or her PC and then upload it to FreeRepublic?

[longjack]

"Message from Germany"

By Michaela Schießl

The influential club Atlantic Bridge, whose board of directors include Guido Westerwelle, Rudolf Scharping, and "Bild" chief-editor Kai Diekmann, wants to place an ad in the Sunday New York Times. The text titled "Message from Germany" will attest to German-American friendship. Cost: $140,000.

Berlin - The solidarity with the USA announcement by 8 European countries and its resounding impact must have given Beate Lindemann an idea. Why not go public to emphasize trans-Atlantic friendship. For the last 50 years, ultimately, building bridges between the USA, Canada and Europe has been the declared goal of the influential club Atlantic Bridge, for whom Lindemann is the acting chairperson. "Whenever it is necessary to improve understanding, when there is a possibility to build networks, or pressing political questions arise, the Atlantic Bridge is ready to act" can be read in the mission statement of the club with high caliber membership.

The board of directors and supervisory council are speckled with prominent members from politics, media and finance. Rudolf Scharping (SPD) belongs as does Guido Westerwelle (FDP) und Kurt Biedenkopf (CDU), "BILD" chief-editor Kai Diekmann and "Zeit"-co-publisher Josef Joffe, Bank supervisors Martin Kohlhaussen (Commerzbank) and Hilmar Kopper (Deutsche Bank).

Can so much concentrated influence go unused? Should the friends of America stand by idly while the carefully paved 50 year old bridge over the Atlantic collapses? No, decided the board of directors. Together with Chairman Arend Oetker, former Chairman Walther Leisler Kiep and Treasurer Max Warburg, Beate Lindemann wrote to the members and friends of Atlantic Bridge. The contents: In view of the aggravated dissonance in the Atlantic alliance the Atlantic Bridge wants to publish a fundamental statement in the form of a one page advertisement in the Sunday edition of the "New York Times" on February 16. This demonstration of loyalty is expensive: the page costs $140,000. The directors asked, therefore, that each of the document's signatories pay at least 100 Euro. Time to consider: One day maximum. The acceptances had to be back to the directors by February 12, at the latest.

The announcement was formulated so moderately that members and friends of any political persuasion would be spoken to. "A Message from Germany" proclaims the neutral title of the advertisement's layout. Several paragraphs of Thank You America follow: Thank you for the liberation from Nazi-Germany, Thank you for the protection in the cold war, Thank you for the support during re-unification.

The text also remembers the solidarity with and the support for the Americans after September 11 by the Germans and mentions the German role in the securing of peace and the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

In view of the terrorist threat the Atlantic Bridge wants to reinforce bonds to the United States, writes the club, and confronts the suspicion of a German Anti-Americanism: "The German-American Partnership reflects common values. The desire to defend these values binds America and Germany", proclaims the advertisement's text. Further: "For the vast majority of Germans the relationship to the United States remains of great importance. We must not allow the momentary differences of opinion between our governments over the Iraq question to break these bonds. We, the members of the Atlantic Bridge, the oldest German-American friendship organization, which represents the present and future leaders of Germany, will do anything to maintain these ties for future generations".

The club doesn't want to say how many and which of the Trans-Atlantics have signed so far. One must doubt, however, that the more than a thousand signatories necessary to fund the promotion have been found in so short a time. The organization, speaking to that topic: "The Atlantic Bridge will cover the remainder".

"Der Spiegel".."Message From Germany"

Translated by longjack

[stop_fascism]

To paraphrase - America is Germany's friend because every time Germany has needed help, America has been there for it. Germany is America's friend because everytime America has needed help, not only has Germany not been there. It has actively worked against American interests.

Gee, Germany reminds me of a lot of my former friends.

[desertcry]

So hans, you want to get close to America again. You must be blind hans, your knife is still sticking in America's back. What's the matter hans, your sales of BMWs, MBs apple struddles..... not doing so well in America? You'r are also wasting your money hans, nyt has lost credibility to most Americans. You'r toast hans, kaput.