Article

2003-06-11 Europe

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany - The top American and German defense leaders said Wednesday that differences over the Iraq war should not be the basis for lingering sour relations between the two countries. ``Like a family, from time to time we don't agree on everything,'' said U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

"Like siblings, we sometime poke each other and push each other down the stairs..."

``Sometimes we have debate and discussion. But when we are threatened or challenged, we need to come together as we did after September 11th.''
"Only this time, we have to make it stick."
German Defense Minister Peter Struck took an even more conciliatory tone. ``Occasional discussions and irritations over specific political issues do not alter anything ~~even when my country acts like a jerk~~,'' said Struck. ``Sure, our views differed over the Iraq issue. But a friendship like ours can take that. We are now looking ahead.''

Rumsfeld and Struck were keynote speakers at a multinational meeting of defense leaders at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Continuing a Bush administration move to court the countries of Eastern Europe, Rumsfeld specifically mentioned in his speech the contributions of Poland, Romania, Albania an others in U.S. efforts to oust Taliban and al-Qaida influence from Afghanistan, but neglected to mention that France contributed thousands of troops to the campaign and Germany at one point led the peacekeeping force there.
Totally slipped his mind!
However, at a joint press availability later with Struck, Rumsfeld expressed regret at the deaths of four German soldiers recently in Afghanistan at what Struck has said was at the hands of al-Qaida. Earlier in the day Rumsfeld spoke at the center to several dozen students whose questions reflected recent strain between the United States and traditional European allies France and Germany. When one student asked about the state of those relations, Rumsfeld described them as ``pretty good ~~considering that, after all, you're talking about France~~.'' Another cited recent press reports that the United States would like to destabilize the government of Iran and asked: ``Will you start a war in Iran?'' Rumsfeld did not answer directly, but said he did not know why there was a flurry of newspaper reports last month suggesting the administration was considering destabilizing the Iranian government.
"I had thought we had kept that quiet."
The ceremony was Rumsfeld's third stop in a four-nation, four-day trip that ends with Thursday's NATO meeting in Brussels, Belgium and started as a thank-you gesture toward nations that supported the war. On Tuesday, Rumsfeld met briefly with leaders in Portugal and Albania, which gained U.S. favor by supporting the war. ``I value the relationship the U.S. has with Albania. It's important to us,'' Rumsfeld told a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart Pandeli Majko. The message was much the same earlier in the day at a joint news conference with Portuguese Defense Minister Paulo Portas in Lisbon. ``We very much value our friendship,'' Rumsfeld said. Portugal is sending a 120-member military police force to Iraq.

Now, that's something that's needed!

Muslim Albania was one of the most vocal supporters of the war in Iraq and sent a small contingent of non-combat troops. It also opened its airspace, land routes and waterways to coalition forces, and offered use of its air bases. Rumsfeld said 41 countries are considering assistance to Iraq and some half dozen have committed forces. He didn't name them.
If the Germans want to make amends, they can contribute a battalion of military police to Iraq. That would be useful.

Posted by Steve White 2003-06-11 10:33 am|| || Front Page|| [9 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Rumsfeld did not answer directly, but said he did not know why there was a flurry of newspaper reports last month suggesting the administration was considering destabilizing the Iranian government.

I don't think there's any necessity for any outside force to destabilize the Iranian government. From what I've read lately, they're doing a pretty good job at that on their own.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-06-11 11:16:14|| 2003-06-11 11:16:14|| Front Page Top

#2 Rumsfeld DID bring up "Old Europe" and "New Europe" again which caused irritation. He didn't say though where he would put Germany right now.

Unfortunately there might be a new conflict looming over the immunity of US Blue Helmets at the ICC. Berlin might vote against (or abstain) the extension of resolution 1422. I really hope they sort these things out. I'm so tired of this Schroeder crap.

Posted by True German Ally 2003-06-11 14:42:10|| 2003-06-11 14:42:10|| Front Page Top

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