Germany Will Not Aid US Soldiers In Chemical, Biological Attack

CNSNews.com ^ | 3/07/03 | R. Raghavendra

[kattracks]

Berlin (CNSNews.com) - Adding another sticking point to strained relations with the United States, Germany says its troops will not come to the rescue of American soldiers if they invade Iraq and face a chemical or biological attack there.

German defense minister Peter Struck said Friday that his forces will only defend and assist American soldiers and civilians based in Kuwait, where some German troops are currently stationed.

German soldiers in Kuwait possess equipment to detect contamination by biological and chemical weapons. But if the attack takes place in Iraq, German troops will not go forward to assist U.S. soldiers or their allies.

"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."

Germany has stood firm in its view that there should be no war. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reiterated this stance Thursday when he said that the United Nations and the international community should discuss ways to achieve a peaceful solution. On Friday, Germany's foreign minister told the U.N. Security Council that there are "efficienct alternatives to war in Iraq."

After a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the German Chancellor said that Germany, France and Russia agreed that there was no need for a second resolution.

"The cooperation of Iraq has got better, but it still needs further improvement," Schroeder said. "Germany's basic position will remain intact, and it is a very, very firm position."

The German government has also announced that it would not help finance the rebuilding of Iraq if America invades. In 1991, Germany did not play an active military role in the first Gulf War, but it shared a large portion of the financial burden.

Last week, Berlin turned a request by NATO for additional Patriot air defense missiles for Turkey. The German government said that it had already fulfilled its obligation to NATO.

At the same time, however, Germany is prepared to increase the strength of its troops in Kuwait. The defense minister said that he would send additional troops to Iraq's neighbor to maintain security if the U.S. presence at Camp Doha is reduced because of war.

Last week, Germany said that it would send some 30 additional soldiers to join the elite troops operating the Fuchs - vehicles specially fitted with advanced equipment for detecting chemical, biological or nuclear contamination. The vehicles are stationed about 60 miles from the Iraqi border.

The German parliament has authorized the deployment of 800 elite troops in the region.

But the opposition Christian Democratic Union criticized the defense minister for his position on assistance to U.S. troops.

Friedbert Pflueger, the CDU foreign policy spokesman, described the move as "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 the Fuchs are stationed," Pflueger said.

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[GOPJ]

They need more time to cover their trail.

They can't help us as they probably sold them weapons to diperse them with and it was in their contract with Iraq I mean China, I mean Iraq, that they would sit by and do nothing.

[GOPJ]

They need more time to cover their trail.

They can't help us as they probably sold them weapons to diperse them with and it was in their contract with Iraq I mean China, I mean Iraq, that they would sit by and do nothing.

[agrace]

German soldiers in Kuwait possess equipment to detect contamination by biological and chemical weapons.

But why on earth do they need such equipment when Iraq has no WMDs?

[mikegi]

Germany Will Not Aid US Soldiers In Chemical, Biological Attack

And, likewise, the USA will not aid Germans in Chemical, Biological Attack. When AQ unleashes WMDs in Germany itself, we should just hand them Blix's latest report and say "inspections are working".

[OrioleFan]

Time to send Germany an France a bill for WWII and Marshall Plan. We could apply the payments to the cost of the war in Iraq.

[Publius]

After Hiroshima, why should we ruin our "perfect record"?

Whoa, now. Are you claiming moral equivalence between the Holocaust and the bombing of Hiroshima?

[americanbychoice]

I was born and raised in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1961. I have lived there several times for a total of 16 years as European Director for my company. When I went through school, the second world war was a black hole, it didn't exist. A piece in time void of any substance.
Because of us, the Germans enjoyed the best economic times in their History. The problem was that the "Wirtschaftswunder" didn't come with instructions on how to manage their new found wealth and prominence. Like a spoiled child seeking dissent they used our benevolence to lash out and prove their Master Race status once again. Most Germans feel morally and intellectually superior to any race. Anti semitism and suspicion toward anything non- German is still rampant.

I don’t want to go on a rant here, but……. The Socialists, former PDS leaning, heel clicking “Leaders of Europe” are now Goose stepping arm in arm together to enslave the new European democracies into their diminishing economic quagmire. The revolutionaries Schroeder/Fischer, together with “King” Chirac and the opportunistic Putin are trying to reset the old Pinball game that the U.S. has forced into Tilt mode for the last 58 years. They believe that their anti-American rhetoric will show the world that it is better to be dominated by the old aristocratic class conscious ruling elite, which will let them eat cake, than being able to determine their own destiny by setting their own agendas, laws and purpose. Their goal is so transparent that it would have to anticipate a great amount of stupidity on the part of the former Eastern block countries not to notice their true intent. Gone would be self-determination, freedom of speech and liberties associated with the normal democratic concept. The only purpose would be to milk these new countries for their Tax Euros and to be indoctrinated into the socialist melting pot that is called the EU ? The “old Europeans “have shown time and time again, that their goal is to create different classes within their societies. The Master race concept was a failure and reinstituting it won’t work again this time around. The “Krautiots” for instance want to have someone else work for them while they can collect the ample Government subsidy, just like it should be awarded to these Super humans. They determined to abandon Atomic Energy, only to encourage other countries to build new reactors from which they can purchase cheap energy. They will do anything to show the world that they are ecologically pure and socially just. Well, History does have a way of repeating itself, it won’t work this time either. The idea of taking over Europe without firing a shot to create Lebensraum has hurdles that neither Chirac or his new Komrades: Schroeder, Fischer and Putin will be able to overcome. To bank on the stupidity of others for your own gain has always been futile. I do however, have a recommendation for this happy threesome: Make an appointment with their proctologist and demand a lobotomy?
Of course this is only my opinion and I could be wrong.

[Michael81Dus]

Germany paid one third of Iraq war in 1991 and helped to finance US armament industry by doing so.
The costs for Marshall plan were much lower than the money the US budget received in 1991.

I don´t think that you can claim damages for a war from a country you destroyed during that war, won´t you agree?
But... maybe a judge will accept a motion, who knows?

[Michael81Dus]

"Are you claiming moral equivalence between the Holocaust and the bombing of Hiroshima?"

What´s the difference between murder and murder??

[Maedhros]

No. Perhaps I spoke to quickly. I am just frustrated by the tremendous anti-German sentiment around here.

[b4its2late]

Looks like we may be fighting the Germans again in a couple of years....History does repeat itself.

[LaGrone]

Let's add Germany and France to countries we need to invade. These cretins took our assistance in lives and money for over fifty years. They let us spend our money for our defense and theirs as well to block the Soviet Union.

Now they take a tyrant like Saddam over us. I spit on these ingrates Chirac and Schroeder. Buy French or German products. Not unless I have no choice. Let's hope we can make them pay economically for their treachery. My father was in Europe during WWII and he detested the French, said they could never be trusted.

[b4its2late]

But if they invade France, we let them.

[EternalHope]

Adding another sticking point to strained relations with the United States, Germany says its troops will not come to the rescue of American soldiers if they invade Iraq and face a chemical or biological attack there.

Don't worry, we'll be SURE to return the favor.

[mhking]

Adding another sticking point to strained relations with the United States, Germany says its troops will not come to the rescue of American soldiers if they invade Iraq and face a chemical or biological attack there.

Then we don't need 'em in the first damn place. They can stay home and play tiddly-winks with the french.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

If memory serves me correctly,the germans are expert at gassing people!

[Michael81Dus]

Well, maybe you´re disappointed by the "unrestricted solidarity" promised by Chancellor Schröder. Ok, me too.
Maybe you get angry about the attitude of the nations being opposed to a war against Iraq. Feel free to do so.

But please explain me, why can´t you tolerate different opinions? Hey, you call for an attack against free and democratic nations. France and Germany pose no threat to anyone. Except for the moral of the US services.
I never heard that this was an justification for war.

So, you have your opinion (war is necessary), let others have their own opinion (war is unjustified), too. We live in the free parts of the world. Make your contribution for this great shape!!

[Michael81Dus]

"If memory serves me correctly,the germans are expert at gassing people!"

These experiences are only based on people who didn´t agree with the German government. Mhmm... who exactly opposes the German anti-war-policy in the Security Council???

/ sarcasm off

[b4its2late]

So, you have your opinion (war is necessary), let others have their own opinion (war is unjustified), too. We live in the free parts of the world. Make your contribution for this great shape!!

We can also hope that when they are in trouble, they are on their own then too. Their time will come.

[Michael81Dus]

They´re showing some positive developments (conviction of 9-11 supporters, keeping large contingents in Afghanistan, good cooperation between the intelligences, protecting US bases in Germany). Germany is not interested in ending the transatlantic partnership.