US to punish German 'treachery'

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 02/16/03 | Peter Beaumont, David Rose and Paul Beaver

[Pokey78]

America is to punish Germany for leading international opposition to a war against Iraq. The US will withdraw all its troops and bases from there and end military and industrial co-operation between the two countries - moves that could cost the Germans billions of euros.

The plan - discussed by Pentagon officials and military chiefs last week on the orders of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - is designed 'to harm' the German economy to make an example of the country for what US hawks see as Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's 'treachery'.

The hawks believe that making an example of Germany will force other countries heavily dependent on US trade to think twice about standing up to America in future.

This follows weeks of increasingly angry exchanges between Rumsfeld and Germany, in which at one point he taunted Germany and France for being an irrelevant part of 'old Europe'.

Now Rumsfeld has decided to go further by unilaterally imposing the Pentagon's sanctions on a country already in the throes of economic problems.

'We are doing this for one reason only: to harm the German economy,' one source told The Observer last week.

'Our troops contribute many millions of dollars. Why should we continue to support a country which has treated Nato and the protection we provided for decades with such incredible contempt?'

Another Pentagon source said: 'The aim is to hit German trade and commerce. It is not just about taking out the troops and equipment; it is also about cancelling commercial contracts and defence-related arrangements.'

The Pentagon plan - and the language expressed by officials close to Rumsfeld - has horrified State Department officials, who believe that bullying other countries to follow the US line will further exacerbate anti-Americanism and alienate those European countries that might support a United Nations resolution authorising a war.

German industry earns billions of euros every year from supporting the US Army Europe which, although reduced from its Cold War heights, still totals 42,000 troops and 785 tanks - almost three times as many as the British Army owns. Many of these soldiers and their fighting equipment, including Apache helicopters, have already been sent to the Gulf.

German industry is heavily involved in supporting the US presence. Among the defence companies which stand to lose out are missile-maker Diehl, aerospace and defence giant EADS Deutschland, armaments maker Rheinmetall and vehicle maker Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

There is also a US Air Force contingent of about 15,000 service people with bases at Bitburg, Frankfurt-am-Main and neighbouring Ramstein, where the commander doubles as part of the Nato command. This force includes nearly 60 F-16 fighter-bombers and a squadron of A-10 tank-buster aircraft.

Rumsfeld and his staff have made no attempt to hide their fury at Schröder's 'treachery and ineptitude' over Iraq. Last week Schröder leaked to reporters a Franco-German plan for avoiding war by increasing the number of UN weapons inspectors before informing his American counterparts.

'After this, Germany is finished as a serious power,' one of the sources added. 'This is simply not the way to conduct diplomacy at a moment of international crisis.' One diplomatic source said Rumsfeld was 'furious at Germany. He is a bruiser and it looks as though he means to do it'.

Under these plans, the US would move its troops in Europe eastwards to countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states, all of which have strongly supported America's line against Saddam Hussein. It is likely that the overall size of the deployment would be reduced, as the US military changes its priorities for a long-term and disparate engagement with international terrorism.

Although Rumsfeld had already been considering a redeployment of US troops around the world after a war in Iraq to save money and respond to new threats, the plans now under consideration go far beyond what had been discussed.

It is likely that future years will see a sharp increase in the proportion of special forces troops able to deploy rapidly across the globe.

Germany would suffer considerable financial loss if US forces were withdrawn from the country. The bases provide jobs for local people as everything from administrators to cleaners, and are huge customers for dairy products and bread.

[mathurine]

The ones who go out of their ways to be our enemies can be our enemies. Germany and francellisimos have gone out of their way and deserve retaliation at the least. The damned little europricks.

[Tailback]

Yeah, German Americans have had a tough time in the US. Hessians in the revolutionary war, WWI and WWII, now this.

[VladTepes]

The Germans, like the French, have proven themselves to be ungrateful dogs. No fate is too bad for them. At least the Americans always knew the Russians and Chinese were their enemies.

With friends like Chirac and Schroeder, you are better off with Bin Laddin. At least you know where he stands.

Were it not for USA, the Germans would all be speaking Russian, were it not for USA and England, French would all be speaking German.

Better U.S. rewards those friends it has in eastern and southern Europe. They understand well the threat of the deadly Islamic hordes.

[zebra 2]

Best idea I've heard!

[airborne]

"Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you got till it's gone..."

Now that's what I call "strategery"!

[jt8d]

True... AND, unlike the Krouts, Czech women: are not all infected with clap; they tend to bathe more than once a month; and, they shave their armpits--and legs too!

[dighton]

I like to get my "point" across....

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[OldFriend]

Poland is ready and willing to have our bases in their country.

[Thud]

I'd rather we went after the French. They lied to Colin Powell and President Bush about their support if we complied with Security Council Resolution No. 1441. It is far more important to punish that than to punish honest idiots.

[VladTepes]

I thank you very much.

You like my hero too? Like many warriors of west, he fought long to keep Islam out of Europe.

[jt8d]

California and New York make wines that are superior to any putrid "cesspool scum" the Kowardly Krouts--or the Feline French faggots--could ever produce.

[DAnconia55]

The plan - discussed by Pentagon officials and military chiefs last week on the orders of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - is designed 'to harm' the German economy to make an example of the country for what US hawks see as Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's 'treachery'. The hawks believe that making an example of Germany will force other countries heavily dependent on US trade to think twice about standing up to America in future.

Ah. Leadership.
The adults are now truly in charge....

Can you imagine Alghor doing this? lol..

[Semper Paratus]

Yes, we disagree, but kicking the legs out from under an ally's economy in a fit of pique is idiotic.

I wouldn't write off Germany yet, too early to start pulling out. Schroeder is on very thin ice and we could get a more friendly regime in soon.
But I'm all for keeping their feet to the fire.

[Momaw Nadon]

[freepersup]

Whether this is so much fluff, screed, hyperbole, or psyops, is immaterial to me- it should be done and to the letter.

This is not a dress rehearsal. The murder of almost 3,000 innocent US and Allied citizens was not a figment of my imagination. I STILL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED.

It's time to play HARDBALL ! Who is with us and who isn't ? Piss on these spineless bastards. They messed with the bull and now they're going to get the horns!

NEVER FORGET 9-11 LET'S ROLL

I am in an especially foul mood after witnessing the appeasers of terrorism demonstrations today.

[dighton]

You like my hero too?

Seriously, he was too fond of impaling for the sake of impalement. Not that I'd say that in his presence . . . .

[SevenDaysInMay]

21st Century American troops will be welcomed into the "Lebensraum" lusted afterby the 3rd Reich. New Europe will benefit from the multiplier effect of billion$ of our defense budget.

Socialist Old Europe will have to deal with their brave new world economy. They can tax themselves to prosperity given longterm $50+/bbl oil. Bon chance und gute nacht.

America should start bringing our war dead home before muslim France begins widespread desecration as they certainly rewrite 20th Century history.

[BobS]

Spanish beer is good too and the girls are hosemonsters!

[VladTepes]

Everybody needs hobby.

Besides there was not a lot to do in Wallachia when not fighting Turks.

Also, it make Turks so much afraid, they not even have stomach to face him. We need Vlad now. U.S. needs Vlad in White House. George Bush good man, but he needs to be more like Vlad.

[ijcr]

Spot on! A move to the Baltic states will result in cost savings and most importantly a controlled view over the Russian system.

France and Germany will be left as inconsequential caricatures of their former selves....Miss Brills.