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2003-08-10 Iraq

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Posted by Steve White 2003-08-10 8:54:29 AM|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 He still emphasized Schroederâs previous assertion that Germany would only consider sending troops to Iraq if there were both a U.N. mandate and a request from the United Nations or the interim Iraqi government.

They've been talking about this since day one. There's no change in the German position - they're just restating it. A UN mandate means the UN takes over the administration of Iraq. I don't think so.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-8-10 10:55:44 AM|| 2003-8-10 10:55:44 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Zhang Fei, the German papers do not say that. They say if the U.N. ask NATO to assume a bigger role in Iraq, Germany doesn't exclude taking part in that NATO role and that includes sending troops. Nowhere can I read a demand for UN administration of Iraq.
They key to it is U.N. "legitimizing" NATO action. I do see this as a rather important shift of opinion. That does sound different to Schroeder's "no troops under any circumstances" a year ago.
Call it German pragmatism: "We toldya so" won't help much. Even leftist German politicians seem to wake up to the fact that Iraq MUST NOT FAIL... for our own good.

You might notice the deafening French silence...

Steve, it doesn't have to be Crawford, the White House would do. Bush and Schroeder won't become friends but they need to get it going. And both seem to realize that. America cannot wait for a new chancellor, and Germany not for a new president.

Posted by True German Ally 2003-8-10 11:22:21 AM|| 2003-8-10 11:22:21 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 America cannot wait for a new chancellor, and Germany not for a new president.

why not? life will go on, and a tigers' stripes don't change. I see no reason to forget. Forgive? Sure, but that implies a request for forgiveness, and I'm sure Fischer feels absolutely no need for that. NATO is effectively a dead alliance with the French, Belgians French Poodles, and Fischer in place.

Posted by Frank G 2003-8-10 11:52:00 AM|| 2003-8-10 11:52:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 TGA Isn't Fischer a compromise candidate for the position? Can Schroeder get rid of him? And would he to mollify the US?

Posted by Not Mike Moore 2003-8-10 10:56:22 PM|| 2003-8-10 10:56:22 PM|| Front Page Top

11:43 Bulldog
09:26 Anon1
05:24 Bulldog
00:26 Zhang Fei
00:21 Â·com
00:03 Zhang Fei
23:56 Mark IV
23:52 Â·com
23:43 fullwood
23:41 Â·com
23:34 Not Mike Moore
23:34 Zhang Fei
23:27 Chris
23:24 Not Mike Moore
23:23 Not Mike Moore
23:19 Steve White
23:16 Not Mike Moore
23:12 Not Mike Moore
23:10 Zhang Fei
23:08 Raphael
23:05 Steve White
22:57 Steve White
22:56 Not Mike Moore
22:28 fullwood