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

Reuters ^ | April 19, 2003 | Erik Kirschbaum

[AFPhys]

I would have to see the actual text of this "apology" and have it formally delivered to the White House if I were GWB and study it before accepting it. In addition, I would demand something more, such as germany lobbying for lifting the sanctions agains the Iraqi people.

[EaglesUpForever]

and some of us NEVER forget.

I will forgive Germany when there has been a complete accounting of the details of who was cooperating with Iraq prior to this war, IF they come out relatively clean. Regardless of apologies or pseudo-apologies.

[AFPhys]

...It was not, of course, passing insults on the part of sundry minor functionaries in the German government that are significant,... NATO has been changed forever ... they can no longer trust NATO as an organ of collective security. This is simply a huge political blunder on the part of the EU bureaucracy. ...

It is nearly cliche by now to state that the world has changed, but what was not obvious was that to a great degree what it has changed into is not solely a product of U.S. policies, but to those of France, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, and certainly Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Japan, Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, the Czech republic, and a host of others. This is not a new alignment set in concrete, but it is proof that the old one is shattered beyond repair and no apology can bring it back. Unnoticed in all this portrayal of the U.S. as a maddened elephant run amok is that the power within Europe has shifted, and it cannot be pretended that it will shift back due to wishful thinking.

Excellent post and reminder of some of the factors in this realignment.

[Madcelt]

IF they come out relatively clean.

The way things are looking, that's gonna be a mighty big IF.

[EaglesUpForever]

Oops, I meant IFthey come out relatively clean.

I am boycotting france and russia, so far that much I know. Whether I stop contemplating a BMW is going to depend on the evidence from Iraq over the next 6 months...

[Madcelt]

stop contemplating a BMW

one word Lexus.

[Grampa Dave]