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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[americanbychoice]

:) Thanks, but I rejected myself from that dubious distinction. Thus my screen name

[AmericanInTokyo]

US has an agreement with NATO. We have German forces (air forec) in the United States, stationed near Dulles Airport near the private aviation facility I am told, that houses the German Luftwaffe. Some of these are involved in elint surveillance and actually served in backup functions for CAP (combat air patrols) in the skies in and around Washington. It could be said it is a 'no biggie' since we have plenty of US troops stationed in Germany on NATO mission as well.

[Calpernia]

< speaking from under my tin foil hate > Other threads are posting NONcollaborated rumors that Germany, France and or Russia volunteered military assistance to Iraq. What are the chances of the Luftwaffe mobilizing against us from within?

[hinckley buzzard]

"What's the difference between murder and murder?"

Funny how these moments of truth now upon us cause many to reveal themselves for what they truly are.

Hinaus, du Schwein.

[americanbychoice]

well said, thanks

[P8riot]

Should've let Patton have these YOU'RE-A-PEE'IN SOBs when he asked for them.

[Bulldogs22]

faxed them a Heil Hitler

[CJ Wolf]

My grandfather got gassed in WWI by these jerks. At least they could do is offer aid.

[GOPJ]

bump

[GOPJ]

bump

[GOPJ]

bump

[RummyChick]

what other threads?

[Torie]

France wants the world run through the UN [where France has a veto]. The French foreign minister just said so on TV. That's what folks say where the only "weapon" in their arsenal is the veto. It is totally understandable. It is also understandable if the hyperpower desires to revise and extend, and revise and extend some more, the remarks of the player who has but a veto card. None of this annoys me very much. It is simply the way it is.

[DuncanWaring]

...gasssing 6 million people?

Actually, 13 million. Less than half were Jewish. Many forget the other 7 million Communists, Gypsies, homosexuals, "mental defectives", and others Cpl. Schickelgruber didn't care for.

[DuncanWaring]

"The destruction and mayhem in Iraq won't be on the scale that Germany prefers, so they're opting out."

Or, as someone else put it: "The Germans want no part of any war they don't start."

[ffusco]

No, they changed their tune. First Schroeder campaigned as anti-US and now sies with France with this farce at the UN. But a few AWACS palnes flying out of New Foundland is "a nice gesture."

[Kay Soze]

Yes but does he know that?

[ffusco]

Yes! and to a lesser degree Turkey.

[Torie]

Did you notice the Germany and France parted ways a bit today? Germany bitch slapped Blix a bit, and said hard time tables and goals should have been produced before, and must be produced now. France said no war, implying no war ever, because it would lead to a clash of civilizations, and there are other ways and means, and Blix had proven that he was being highly effective.