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Europe
Germany rejects war to force Iranian nuclear compliance
2004-11-10
Warm milk, anyone?
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, in remarks released on Wednesday, ruled out use of military force against Iran and moves to overthrow the Teheran government amid rising concern over its nuclear programme. "I think that for all those involved war is not an option," said Fischer in a Stern magazine interview, adding that this included both the United States and Israel. Fischer also rejected supporting Iranian opposition groups to overthrow of Iran's current leadership. "We are placing emphasis on the political process," said Fischer.
I'd call hanging the mullahs with their own turbans a valid political statement.
Talks between Iran and European Union (EU) heavyweights Britain, France and Germany to win a suspension of Teheran's nuclear programme have made progress in past days and a final agreement is expected later this week. The EU's "Big Three" have warned Iran it risks UN Security Council sanctions if it fails to give up all activities with uranium by a 25 November deadline set by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.
And, boy, that'll fix 'em...
But US remains deeply skeptical over the long-term value of any such pledge from Iran. American officials believe Teheran is still seeking to build nuclear weapons. Jeffrey Gedmin, head of the US Aspen Institute in Berlin which has close ties to the American government, dubs the EU Big Three's approach an "axis of weakness."
Thank you for today's Statement of the Obvious™.
"In truth, Germany's Iran policy has been bankrupt from nearly day one," said Gedmin in a commentary posted on the Aspen Institute's website. "Bonn started the project in 1992 under the banner of 'Critical Dialogue'. While Germany and its European allies tried aid, trade, credits and diplomatic indulgences, the regmine in Teheran continued to support terrorism, repress the Iranian people, and clandestinely pursure nuclear weapons," says Gedmin. "In 1999 the EU changed the name of the policy to 'Constructive Dialogue' ... Europe is nice to the mullahs, and when this fails, well, Europe tries to be a little nicer," he said, adding: "Germany has been allergic even to the idea of stepped up political pressure."
Posted by:tipper

#27  Difficult question. I don't want anyone to burn down schools, period. Not even empty Qoran schools.

But the Dutch are about to learn an important lesson. Unbridled tolerance for the unbridled intolerant leads to your destruction.

Those who are unwilling to adapt to our society, our values, outstay their welcome.
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-11-10 8:35:33 PM  

#26  TGA, Any thoughts on what went down in the Netherlands today?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-11-10 7:35:15 PM  

#25  LOL
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2004-11-10 6:37:43 PM  

#24  Working for change in 2006, what else...
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-11-10 6:24:19 PM  

#23  When these asshats drag out the rent a mob to shout "death to amerika" at every chance and Germany then says no war what are you to think about Germany? Where is TGA anyhow?
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2004-11-10 3:50:38 PM  

#22  Face it, the mullahs cannot be bribed because they've already lined their pockets. Kerry's offer of nuclear fuel was especially foolish, and prompted even the mullahs to laugh at him and spurn the offer immediately.

Of what benefit is nuclear fuel to a nation that has 3% of the world's oil? Of what benefit is additional trade to a group of men who could not care less about their nation's economic health and who are, to a man, millionaires from the national loot they've already plundered?
Posted by: lex   2004-11-10 2:40:28 PM  

#21  Diplomacy 101
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-11-10 1:51:04 PM  

#20  Plus give him all the wool and dye to weave the carpet with...
Posted by: Seafarious   2004-11-10 1:42:36 PM  

#19  I've gotten tired commenting on the latest nonsense of German "Foreign Policy".

It's like trying to haggle with a carpet dealer while threatening him that if he doesn't go down with the price...

You will

Drum Roll

Pay

His original price!
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-11-10 1:36:34 PM  

#18  Interesting comments from the Aspen Institute guy

Yes, Jeff Gedmin of Aspen Institute in Berlin has been a clear-eyed and courageous spokesman for sanity since 9/11. A telling contrast to our cowardly and backward-looking State Dept diplos.
Posted by: lex   2004-11-10 12:57:39 PM  

#17  Interesting comments from the Aspen Institute guy. I'd always thought that they were a solidly lefty outfit but their perspective here seems to be very much reality-based.
Posted by: AzCat   2004-11-10 12:55:59 PM  

#16  Thanks Jules. It's nice to be useful occasionally.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-11-10 12:19:09 PM  

#15  Mrs D-Great quote! I hadn't seen that before.

BTW-I read your second link on Jacksonians and ordered Albion's Seed at the library. The author was on C-Span this week. You've got me hooked on learning more.
Posted by: Jules 187   2004-11-10 12:02:38 PM  

#14  Israelis, bunker-buster bombs, by March at the latest. End o story.
Posted by: lex   2004-11-10 11:58:37 AM  

#13  
Germany rejects war to force Iranian nuclear compliance
Unfortunately for Germany and the rest of Europe, Iran hasn't rejected war - particularly after they get the bomb.

What - you thought Iran would only use their new-found nuclear blackmail/weapon on the U.S.?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2004-11-10 11:50:34 AM  

#12  The Germans appear to have internalized the idea that when they go to war, very bad things happen, and generalized that to everyone else -- being a people fond of clear rules to govern behaviour and thought. They haven't yet expanded their view to realize that, in general, when America goes to war, the world benefits. Other than that, they are quite charming in their own way.
Posted by: trailing wife   2004-11-10 11:42:12 AM  

#11  German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, in remarks released on Wednesday, ruled out use of military force against Iran and moves to overthrow the Teheran government amid rising concern over its nuclear programme.

Well Herr Fischer, you may as well pack up and go home. Without the promise of consequences if agreements are not kept (principles, sir), then even seeking an agreement is an endeavor unworthy of the effort.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-11-10 11:19:01 AM  

#10  Ship, we had our Officer's Ball last Friday actually. I was unable to attend as I was getting some guys ready to go to Southern CA. for convoy/urban training. I will be eating cake tonight & saying good night to Chesty Puller - where ever he is.

"We're surrounded, that simplifies our problem, we can now shoot in any direction and kill the enemy......"
Posted by: Jarhead   2004-11-10 11:09:56 AM  

#9  the joke is that Joschka thinks he speaks for anyone but the Germans, French, and Brits, all who NEVER had any intention of taking Iran on in any way other than commercially
Posted by: Frank G   2004-11-10 11:08:07 AM  

#8  "You were given a choice between war and dishonour.

You chose dishonour.

You shall have war."

W. Churchill
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-11-10 10:58:36 AM  

#7  I think Jockha wants war...
They rule it out they'll have war. The stupidity is amazing...
Posted by: anon2   2004-11-10 10:55:32 AM  

#6  Excuse me, Joschka, but if things go boom in the night -- and nobody knows for sure who boomed them -- is that really a war?
Posted by: Tom   2004-11-10 10:10:59 AM  

#5  Regimental Dinner tonight Jarhead?
Posted by: Shipman   2004-11-10 9:57:06 AM  

#4  hmmm pretext for German outrage at the Joooos' self-defense act?
Posted by: Frank G   2004-11-10 9:46:28 AM  

#3  The Israelis will takeout the Iranian facilities soon if the rest of the world doesn't get off their collective asses and fix this!
Posted by: RJB in JC MO   2004-11-10 9:30:44 AM  

#2  "German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, ruled out use of military force against Iran amid rising concern over its nuclear programme."

-Naturally, one would require a respectable military force in order to do so in the first place. In Germany's case - they do not have one. Joschka is again the master of the obvious.

I hope he is not pretending to speak for the US. Iran or Syria will most likely be dealt w/through force in the next 5 yrs if the present course they are on stays as is. Either by us or the Israelis. The mullahs will play the "axis of weakness" for the fools they are as long as they can.
Posted by: Jarhead   2004-11-10 9:27:10 AM  

#1  I'm not surprised, they'd rather the crazed Mullah's have the bomb than admit their policy of appeasement has failed.

"Axis of weakness" is spot on!
Posted by: RJB in JC MO   2004-11-10 9:26:26 AM  

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