Schroeder Regrets Words That Hit U.S.-German Ties

Reuters ^ | April 19, 2003 | Erik Kirschbaum

[mombonn]

Let them eat kraut.

[Dog]

Schroeder is just sucking up.....if he and Chirac could stick it to us again they would..

[Chi-townChief]

Sorry, Fritz - too little, too late.

[BrooklynGOP]

Talk about sour kraut.

[The Wizard]

this is incredibly big

[The Wizard]

For the head of a country to applogize in public, is an extremely important thing and should be accepted by GWB, as I'm sure it will be.....

[Grand Old Partisan]

Yes, this is indeed an apology.

[Joe Boucher]

I don't care if Schroeder gets on his knees in the capital rotunda and kisses G.W.Bushes butt, I will never buy anything German again if at all possible. They and their economy can go even further in the toilet.

[Sloth]

"Even though differences of opinion on this question were so serious, it does not impair transatlantic relations," Schroeder said. "I think political leaders on both sides are professional enough to recognize relations are on a solid foundation."

Gerhard, you're so sweet... Of course we like you, just not in that way. I hope we can still just be good friends. We don't want to risk the transatlantic relations that we have now.

[Bogey78O]

translation: We're sorry you were so successful. Next time you fail we'll kick you when you're down.

[Mamzelle]

This rhetorical approach does give pause. I suppose the statement, "I'm confident you won't be offended that we gave aid and comfort to your enemies at a time you badly needed a loyal ally..."

This arrogance quite takes my breath away. I don't exactly know how to take it, which I suppose is one of its purposes--be so audacious that you distract the one you've offended.

[Asclepius]

"I view politics from a rational point of view, and do not like to ride in slipstreams," Schroeder said.

Angering a powerful ally to support a maniac dictator is rational?

[FRgal4u]

I agree, it is US's best interest to keep Germany happy in the axis weasel...

putin is not gonna risk his relationship with gw in the long run, russia is in economic shambles with oil prices going south, us-russia relationship is paramount for putin..

Germany, i never like schroeder, but i accept his words here...and let's not gorget Germany allow overflights over its airspace during the war...it could have block us from using its airspace..and in afghan, the germans are playing a leading role in keeping the peace there...if germany block the airflights over its space, our boys from uk has to fly across spain then turn sharply eatward to strike iraq - takes an extra 3 hrs of flight and limit the time spent over iraq in target drops..

germany, unlike france, did not actively campaign against the US in the world stage...we sould alwayz remember who disagree with us and yet did not campaign against us to play the counterweight role..

would be nice for gwb to warm the relationships with the germans and the russians..this will make the frenchies real real p'eeved and isolated...

lol..

[TomGuy]

Hey, Schroeder...just so we'll be clear, just in case the need arises...before accepting your apology, where do you stand regarding Syria?

[Jemian]

should be accepted by GWB,

Perhaps, but not yet. He's groveling now because his country is beginning to feel an economic problem. Groveling is good. Germany needs to grovel a bit more.

You are right, the apology should be accepted in time. However, what Germany and France need to realize, the economic problem they are now beginning to experience isn't from the government here. It is from Americans. I don't have to buy their products. George down the street can make a choice to buy their products, but right now George isn't buying. An apology to the US is not going to heal the rift with Americans. I'm mad and I'm staying mad. This sniveling, whining isn't working for me.

[elhombrelibre]

I'm with you or with your attitude about this. Schroeder isn't sincere. He's a very flawed man. He's had about 5 wives, and he's a real phony. He sues news papers about things like telling people what color his hair really is. He's very frivolous, much like the German people today. And he's naturally the man who is leading them towards a divorce from the US. Our country pays 79% of the cost to base Americans here! Then we employ Germans at their wages and goofy goofing off-all-the-time work schedules. This is a very strange arrangement. This country is a post Christian one, but they get every Saints Day off you can think of. It's kind of like their sucking up to Putin while claiming they're concerned by US war crimes in Iraq. Hello? Have you heard of Grozny, Claus?

[FreeCanuckistan]

Step right up Mr. Schroeder!

Today's special......homemade 'Humble Pie'....mmm' mmm' good!

And if the French join you....it'll be 'ala mode' for two.

I expectorate in your general direction.

[quesera]

I guess it's finally sinking in that the axis of weasels are not going to play any major role in rebuilding Iraq. They are not to be trusted, ever!