The Tehran-Berlin Axis

Wall St. Journal ^ | May 15, 2008 | Matthias Küntzel

[nuconvert]

The Tehran-Berlin Axis

May 15, 2008

The Wall Street Journal

Matthias Küntzel

Flipping last week through the online itinerary of the German Near and Middle East Association (honorary chairman: Gerhard Schröder), I found the following entry: "April 16, 2008, Meeting with the Iranian Vice Foreign Minister S.E. Mehdi Safari in Berlin." I couldn't find anything in the German press about this visit. I turned to Iranian media. It reported that Mr. Safari was in Berlin for three days at the invitation of the German government. He met with officials at the foreign, interior and economics ministries, as well as with lawmakers and businessmen.

It is strange, to say the least, that neither the German government nor the media said a word about the visit. Along with the five veto-wielding U.N. Security Council members, Germany belongs to the Six-Power Group, which sets the course of international diplomacy on Iran's nuclear program. Tehran's quest for the bomb is perhaps the only international security issue where German foreign policy has real global relevance. And Mr. Safari is not some low-ranking official from a minor, peaceful power but a representative of a country that could soon trigger a nuclear war. His visit should have sparked wide interest in Germany.

But perhaps it's not so surprising. The country's position toward Tehran seems to be at a crossroads. The "grand coalition" government looks at Iran through different prisms. While Chancellor Angela Merkel argues for tougher sanctions if necessary to stop the Iranian bomb, Germany's foreign policy establishment, including a key advisor to Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, preaches accommodation, even a "strategic partnership" with Iran.

The diplomatic dissonance is striking. In March, Ms. Merkel declared in what has been called a historic speech to the Israeli parliament that she won't shy away from "using additional, tougher sanctions

[old-and-old]

Russia is building their nukes and we should worry about Germany? Is this is a “Nazis are coming back in Germany” conspiracy theory?

[Enchante]

appalling but not surprising

Leftists pursue the “unholy alliance” with Islamo-fascists as a counter-weight to the US, and business people simply crave the opportunities for commerce without regard to the consequences.

This certainly indicates that the “sanctions” regime against Iran is just about meaningless. No, worse than meaningless because it provides the illusion that the west is trying to do something to stop Iranian nukes while in reality everyone twiddles their thumbs or actively helps Iran.

[Enchante]

We should worry about the utter futility of “sanctions” when Iran is laughing all the way to the bank, and Germany and other EU countries are supplying much of what they need for their economy.

For years the pretence has been that sanctions would help to nudge Iran toward embracing the incentives offered by the west. This article suggests how worthless that entire approach to Iran has been.

[sageb1]

“While Chancellor Angela Merkel argues for tougher sanctions if necessary to stop the Iranian bomb, Germany’s foreign policy establishment, including a key advisor to Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, preaches accommodation, even a “strategic partnership” with Iran.”

This, and not Bush’s policy, is what has given Iran its power. The Iranian regime will only be forced to change when the world speaks with one voice. Obama’s views are like Steinmeier’s and hence, very dangerous for the West.

[JasonC]

The world will never speak with one voice, on anything. Parts may pretend otherwise, but that is the fact. Meanwhile, Iran will change when parts of it are smoking ruins. How many parts and how long before that happens, are the only matters left in play.

[Blogger]

Gomer?

[rjp2005]

Follow the money trail - Germany has invested HEAVILY in trade with Iran, and assisting in building up their infrastructure.

[Napoleon Solo]

Could it be that these German’s are helping Iran carry out the final final.....???

[PoliticsAndSausages]

To be fair, the traditionally strong trade relations between Germany and Iran are constantly weakening since 2005 - 2006. Less imports, less exports, less investment. We still export loads of stuff there of course, if alone because of maintenance reasons.

[wolf78]

Quite the opposite: It was Germany that gave Israel (nuclear) second-strike capability as a deterrent. Yeah, the Israeli navy likes their German-sourced U-boats ;).