Germany won't aid U.S. troops in Iraq (when under chemical or biological attack)

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ^ | March 06 2003 | Aaron Kirchfeld

[knighthawk]

If American troops invade Iraq and come under chemical or biological attack they will not be helped by German troops stationed in Kuwait, who are armed with special equipment for detecting contamination from such weapons, according to Defense Minister Peter Struck.

“Our soldiers will remain in Kuwait because the defense agreement applies to the citizens and American troops stationed in that country,“ Struck said in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “The protection of American soldiers advancing in Iraqi territory must be taken on by the Americans themselves.“ Further burdening relations with the United States, already strained by Germany's continuing opposition to an attack on Iraq, the German government said it would not help finance the rebuilding of Iraq.

Although Germany did not play an active role in the first Gulf War in 1991, it carried a large share of the financial burden.

Also this week, the government turned down a North Atlantic Treaty Organization request for additional Patriot air defense batteries and missiles for Turkey, saying it had already fulfilled its obligations to the NATO alliance.

Still, Struck predicted that relations with the United States would return to normal once the Iraq crisis was resolved.

Struck's position on helping U.S. troops in Kuwait was criticized by the opposition Christian Democratic Union and its foreign policy spokesman, Friedbert Pflüger, who called them “dangerous and unwise.“

“I can't imagine that a German defense minister would deny emergency help for attacked American soldiers in Iraq only kilometers from where German Fuchs armored reconnaissance tanks are stationed,“ Pflüger said, referring to vehicles specially outfitted with advanced equipment for detecting chemical, biological or nuclear contamination.

Struck said that he would increase the number of soldiers in Kuwait to maintain security should U.S. troop presence fall at Camp Doha, which would be likely if Iraq is invaded.

Berlin announced last week that it would be sending 30 additional soldiers to join the 59 “ABC“ troops - the German acronym for nuclear, biological and chemical contamination - operating the Fuchs vehicles at the camp, some 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Iraqi border.

The contingent and its six Fuchs are restricted under the German mandate for cooperating in Operation Enduring Freedom to provide defense strictly within Kuwaiti territory. The military has been authorized by the German parliament to deploy as many as 800 ABC troops if necessary for this purpose.

In the interview, Struck denied recent reports that German special forces soldiers had participated in search-and-rescue training alongside their U.S. counterparts in Kuwait.

[knighthawk]

We will remember.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[Grampa Dave]

Maybe we should have a friendly little fire fight with these German troops to take over their equipment and to make sure they don't shoot our men in the back. If they resist, shoot them.

The last thing I would want would be an armed German behind my back if I was over there.

[007Dawg]

"German Fuchs" Hmmmm. Not sure how this is pronounced, but it looks about right.

[knighthawk]

LOL!

[maestro]

Although Germany did not play an active role in the first Gulf War in 1991, it carried a large share of the financial burden.

Whose uniform (s) are the wearing NOW?.......U.N.

[Mark17]

Still, Struck predicted that relations with the United States would return to normal once the Iraq crisis was resolved.

Maybe in 20 or 30 years.

[cweese]

"Germany won't aid U.S. troops in Iraq (when under chemical or biological attack)"
...fine. then we shouldn't aid germany when some religion of peace members start terrorizing berlin...let the eu protect 'em...

[americanbychoice]

Just replace the "F" with an "S". why make it enjoyable?

[Dolphy]

Our soldiers will remain in Kuwait because the defense agreement applies to the citizens and American troops stationed in that country,“ Struck said in

Oh, now they are going to get all specific about the letter of the law as it's written in an agreement, huh? Maybe they ought to pull out the 16 United Nations Resolutions and see what they have to say.

[FRMAG]

Translates to Fox and is the premier NBC detection and marking vehicle in the world. The exact time the crew can operate in a contaminated area buttoned up has never been released but my understanding is that its quite long.

[MizSterious]

Outrage bump.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[ellery]

fourth reich bump.

[meenie]

Well, I was under the impression that Germany didn't think Heir Saddam had chem and bio weapons.

[AmericaUnited]

SCUMBAGS! WE WILL NOT FORGET!!!

[Tacis]

I ceratinly hope that this will cause folks to think several times before buying a German car. A year or two of zero sales in the US might help to get the Germans' attention.

[uncbob]

Wonder how much of this crap is caused by the influx of East Germans after the crash of the Berlin wall

I worked for DOD as an engineer before I retired and in the early 70s were had several exchange engineers from Germany who worked with us for about a year

They were hard working very sociable and strongly anti communist

we also had many WWII War veterans in our division and the ones stationed in Germany at the wars end liked the German people immensely

What the hell happened