German proposes foreign presence for Mideast crisis

Reuters, Israel ^ | 4-9-02

[Oldeconomybuyer]

German proposes foreign presence for Mideast crisis

    BERLIN, April 9 (Reuters) - Germany is proposing a plan to 
solve the Middle East crisis involving a possible international 
presence, either military or civilian, a foreign ministry source 
said on Tuesday. 
    The plan calls for joint action from the United States, the 
European Union, Russia and the United Nations and includes a 
ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories 
and the enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolutions. 
    The German foreign ministry's "ideas paper" calls for a 
"security presence" to provide an international guarantee of any 
truce or peace deal, the source said. 
    He declined to confirm that meant a military presence, 
saying a ceasefire could be overseen by civilian observers. 
    Israel has rejected previous plans for foreign observers. 
    Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Monday his Foreign 
Minister Joschka Fischer would submit proposals for a political 
solution and discuss his ideas with European Union partners. 
    The aim was to support the latest U.S. peace mission headed 
by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.  
    Leading representatives of the four would-be guarantors are 
to meet in Madrid on Wednesday and Spain said it was pushing for 
a joint stance to result from the gathering. 
    According to the German plan the four would act as 
"empowered third parties" or guarantors of a ceasefire.  
    In addition to providing the security presence, they would 
also offer aid for the rebuilding of Palestinian areas. 
 Comprehensive peace negotiations might take a further two 
years after a ceasefire, he said. 
    Fischer met his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine in Leipzig 
on Monday to discuss the plan. 
    German opposition parties said Germany should not consider 
sending troops. 
    ((Philip Blenkinsop, Berlin newsroom, +49 30 2888 5215, fax 
+49 30 2888 5008)) 

09 APR 2002 18:22:13

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I suspect the US had a hand in crafting this plan...

[dennisw]

How crude. They want Israel off all the West Bank in exchange for empty Arab promises and a few thousand UN blue helmet and Euro "peace keepers".

All Israel has gotten from the Euros and UN has been garbage. And these days the UN is Muslim and 3rd world controlled.

[Shermy]

I read it differently. All of this blather lately comes from the EU. I see the continual assertion of the "EU", rather than Britain, etc., sepatately, as the EU's super-centralist wing using opportunities to lobby for the aims of this wing, to make them seem relevant, to make them seem the real powerbrokers by force of repetitive propaganda. Super-centralization benefits Germany and France the most, so that's why you hear it mostly from them.

They tried it too with the "American scare" a month or so ago. That is, the characterization of America as a threatening superpower, that need be countered, 'natch, with more centralization.

Germany and France - the old "Axis core" as one writer put it.

[madison46]

Hope your wrong...unless of course we are hoping that a lot of UN and EU military guys get killed. I'll have some mighty bad things to say if we put troops over there...and Isreal better shoot any UN/EU troops that show up.

Next thing you know, EU troops will be in West Bank to 'oversee' then the suicide terrorist attacks will start up again and the EU will 'warn' Isreal not to respond.

Hey, war by proxy with the EU...not bad. Isreal'd kick their butt.

[madison46]

You got that right. Salano said America had failed and we should step aside. he then went to meet Arafat. He was not allowed. The next day Zinni got in hehehehe

Your right, they are really using this mess to insert 'EU' 'relevance'. It won't work, but it is interesting that they are doing it so blatanly. Could be some problems in the future...not in the middle east where Isreal already showed them what they thought of the EU stepping in.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Send our sons for infinite period of time to be shot at, etc., versus letting the Israelis take care of the problem in the next ten days...

[farmall]

Bible prophecies are being fulfulled right before our eyes.

If you have eyes to see them.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

This plan (or any other plan) cannot work unless the surrounding Arab nations have some skin in the game. If there is some EU/US assortment of troops keeping the peace they will be sitting ducks. As the President said, Arab leaders need to show some leadership.

[texlok]

South America will be next.

[toddst]

German opposition parties said Germany should not consider sending troops.

Did you see this in the article? As you said, they want US to send our troops. Under what conditions do they put THEIR troops on the ground?

[texlok]

This is equivalent to the mess in what used to be Yugoslavia, Europe didn't want to deal with problems in their backyard, without the US footing the bill. If there were serious problems in Mexico, do you see the US/Canada going to the UN/EU asking for help?

[Shermy]

I agree. When the King of Jordan offered his "Arab guarantee" plan back in November, the P.A. stated they wanted a "European" guarantee instead. Meaning, parties they can cheat and bomb with fewer consequences. Plus Arab troops would be the signal that the ideal of destroying Israel is all over for them - a border will be recognized.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

U.S. increasingly relies on Arab leaders for help in hunt for calm in Mideast

[browardchad]

Arab leaders need to show some leadership.

But what Arab nation's troops can be trusted to be impartial?

[maestro]

German proposes foreign presence for Mideast crisis

Ah,........finally, a word (Final-solution) from 'The King of the North'.

Maranatha!!!

[RussianDude]

One time there was U.N. presence in Lebanon. The results are well-known.

[Lejes Rimul]

Christ, the Germans want to send troops overseas to the Jewish nation? *sigh*

[ImpBill]

The irony is hard to escape, isn't it? Something tells me this isn't going to go over too well with the Israelis.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[maestro]

Any further comments???