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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Germany's Schroeder rejects military option on Iran |
| 2005-08-13 |
| German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder rejected the threat of military force against Iran on Saturday, hours after U.S. President George Bush said he would consider it as a last resort to press Tehran to give up its nuclear programme. Schroeder, one of the most prominent European opponents of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, told an election rally in his home city of Hanover that the threat of force was not acceptable. thanks Gerhard - your negotiations are doing the other side's work for them. Traitor and coward 'I am worried about developments there because no one can want the Iranian leadership to gain possession of atomic weapons,' Schroeder said. 'The Europeans and the Americans are united in this goal. Up to now we were also united in the way to pursue this. "...but now somebody actually wants to DO something about it. We cannot stand for that" 'This morning I read that military options are now on the table. My answer to that is: 'Dear friends in Europe and America, let us work out a strong negotiating position. But let's take the military option off the table. We have seen it doesn't work,'' he said. The comments came after Bush told Israeli television that 'all options are on the table', including the use of force. Schroeder's opposition to the Iraq war was seen as a decisive factor in his unexpected victory in the 2002 general election, which he won narrowly after coming from behind. But his critical stance caused serious ruptures in Germany's traditionally strong relations with the United States. He faces another election this September. Schroeder's Social Democrats are currently lagging the opposition conservatives, but the latter's lead has shrunk in recent weeks. Iran angered the European Union and the United States by resuming uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant last Monday after rejecting an EU offer of political and economic incentives in return for giving up its nuclear programme. Tehran says it aims only to produce electricity and denies Western accusations it is seeking a nuclear bomb. Schroeder said he was against the spread of atomic weapons to more countries. But he included a rebuke to the current group of countries which already have the nuclear bomb. 'We don't want atomic weapons to be more widespread. And here, let me say this to those who have atomic weapons: We would all be more credible than we were in the past if getting rid of these weapons were addressed decisively,' he |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #30 Schroeder, one of the most prominent European opponents of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, told an election rally in his home city of Hanover that the threat of force was not acceptable. To YOU it isn't. Of course, you're entitled to your opinion.... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-08-13 22:53 |
| #29 #24 Frank: "They will be footnotes in the future battle of civiliztions" No kidding. If they even make it into the footnotes. "What did you do in the great war, "Well, son, I shoveled shit in |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-08-13 22:23 |
| #28 Reluctantly, too true? What's the holdup? They've been dangerous appeasers for decades. Some of those clowns give new meaning to the term "legend in their own minds." |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-08-13 22:19 |
| #27 This reminds me of when President Clinton said that troops on the ground were not an option in Kosovo. Is there any way to weaken a bargaining position? The ironic thing is that by weakening the West’s position he is actually making the military option more likely. |
| Posted by: canaveraldan 2005-08-13 21:55 |
| #26 I read the book on the Krupps once. Such a fine combine... I don't know why we left it functional after WW-II. Now like firms sell to Iran. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-08-13 20:52 |
| #25 The Election results the Grand Coalition will be left, left, left. Gerhard wants only to be relected and is willing to give away the security of Europe and Israel to do it. The Franz Von Papen of our time. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2005-08-13 20:10 |
| #24 too true? too true. They will be footnotes in the future battle of civiliztions, with the excuse "I did what I was elected to do". Leadership is in short supply in the world. I count W among leaders |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-13 19:43 |
| #23 I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that many of the European leaders truly are responsible for some horrendous dangers in the world right now. The irony, of course, is that they are firmly convinced they are more moral than we and they will take absolutely no responsibility for the outcome of their choices. |
| Posted by: too true 2005-08-13 19:35 |
| #22 Actually Gerhard misspoke. He should have said "Germany has no military option, we have no military power to project. We can't even defend ourselves." The Election results the Grand Coalition will be left, left, left. Gerhard wants only to be relected and is willing to give away the security of Europe and Israel to do it. Thank you for giving Iran exactly what they want Germany. There can be no more negotation now they have what they want you stupid TRANZI bastards. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom 2005-08-13 19:12 |
| #21 "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way" comes to mind. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-08-13 19:09 |
| #20 exactly - if you don't /won't contribute positively, STFU |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-13 19:07 |
| #19 I'll be the odd man out here, but non-militaristic Germans after the two world wars in the 20th Century is not necessarily a bad thing. I think most of the criticism is that the man is opening his mouth when he has nothing constructive to contribute and becomes an obstacle for others to act. |
| Posted by: Elmavirong Greating7173 2005-08-13 18:47 |
| #18 Time to take the fun out of nuclear proliferation. Beautiful!!! |
| Posted by: docob 2005-08-13 18:37 |
| #17 :-) keep campaigning |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-13 18:30 |
| #16 Unfortunately we're exactly in the same situation as in 2002. Schroeder needs to fight off the extreme leftists in order to win. That worked last time, with the Iraq issue. Now he might think he can pull off the same stunt with Iran. I hope that the WH is smart enough to ignore everything Schroeder says. No reaction, please, nothing. Oh yes, and I'm campaigning, too. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-08-13 18:19 |
| #15 Easy, OP. No need to nuke anything Iranian more than Qom and their military/nuclear installations. I agree it is time for the HUMONGOUS stick. Time to take the fun out of nuclear proliferation. Time to give the NorKs an urge to negotiate in good faith. |
| Posted by: Darrell 2005-08-13 17:59 |
| #14 Ah, yes, negotiations have done such WONDERS, haven't they? They ended the Paleo/Israeli war, they ended the Iran/Iraq war, they did such wonders of keeping Saddam contained, and they've helped so much in Timor, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Nepal. You just have to have faith in them. Schroder has no cojones, and is envious of those that do. It's time for Iran to learn that we have a different president than Jimmah Cahtah - one that believes in speaking softly and carrying a HUMONGOUS stick - one capable of wiping the entire nation of Iran off the face of the earth quicker than you can say it. Tell Schroder to remember Dresden... |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2005-08-13 17:51 |
| #13 TGA - you've got your bona fides established here - our "German" criticism doesn't rain on you. Kind alike Teflon, if you can stand the political implications.. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-13 17:45 |
| #12 Where's the surprise meter? It's deja vu all over again. But no, the German press is all over Stoiber because he's telling people the truth about the absurdity that East Germans should vote for a leftist party, whose leaders are Gregor Gysi (member of the ex commie SED) and Oskar Lafontaine (who was against reunification). "Nur die dümmsten Kälber wählen ihre Metzger selber" Which doesn't translate with the rhyme but means: "Only the dumbest calves elect their own butchers." |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-08-13 17:39 |
| #11 "Schroeder Tells W to Stand Down Without German Imprimatur" would be just as likely/laughable |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-13 17:22 |
| #10 What's funny about this is that Germany doesn't have anmilitary option to reject. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-08-13 17:15 |
| #9 I hope to see a headline next month: Germans Reject Shroeder. (And not in favor of the red/greens.) |
| Posted by: Jackal 2005-08-13 17:14 |
| #8 Just took on too much, especially in WW2. I think you might want to consider rephrasing that. Especially as they came close to achieving their primary goal (world domination was actually secondary). |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-08-13 16:27 |
| #7 When is the german election again? It's time for this clown to depart the stage. |
| Posted by: Anonymous6256 2005-08-13 16:12 |
| #6 We would all be more credible than we were in the past if getting rid of these weapons were addressed decisively Did he just say what I think he said??? Surely a translation error. Check his bank accounts. Any recent money transfers, say, Tehran -> Frankfurt? Absolutely breath taking Schroeder et al. /pissed off |
| Posted by: Rafael 2005-08-13 16:12 |
| #5 Schroeder the socialist wonder that has brought Germany more unemployed than before the 2nd world war. He'll do anything to deviate the attention from the mess he has left. |
| Posted by: Dutchgeek 2005-08-13 15:43 |
| #4 Hey regular joe: You know what's so frustrating here? When the Germans fought, they fought like hell. Just took on too much, especially in WW2. But now when we could use a little of that old German spirit to help us out, look at these jerks! Yeah, Schroeder's done a great job on the economy also. What's the German unemployment rate these days, 10%, 12%?? |
| Posted by: The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen 2005-08-13 15:22 |
| #3 Ah the Germans -- either at your feet or at your throat. I guess we know which way our little teutonic pals are going this century. |
| Posted by: regular joe 2005-08-13 15:17 |
| #2 Lol! Schröder is such a tool, heh. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-08-13 15:12 |
| #1 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder declares that after two major ass-whumpings, in 1918 and 1945, the Eloi-Germans are to assume the position of bend-over and await the Jihadi insertion. |
| Posted by: The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen 2005-08-13 15:11 |