Germany in rethink on Iraq force deployment

[conjur]

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/0b764...8d72-00000e2511c8.html

Germany might deploy troops in Iraq if conditions there change, Peter Struck, the German defence minister, indicated on Tuesday in a gesture that appears to provide backing for John Kerry, the US Democratic presidential challenger.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Struck departed from his government?s resolve not to send troops to Iraq under any circumstances, saying: ?At present I rule out the deployment of German troops in Iraq. In general, however, there is no one who can predict developments in Iraq in such a way that he could make a such a binding statement [about the future].?

Mr Struck also welcomed Mr Kerry?s proposal that he would convene an international conference on Iraq including countries that opposed the war if he were to win next month's election.

Germany would certainly attend, Mr Struck said. ?This is a very sensible proposal. The situation in Iraq can only be cleared up when all those involved sit together at one table. Germany has taken on responsibilities in Iraq, including financial ones; this would naturally justify our involvement in such a conference.?

Berlin has refused to comment on the outcome of the US election, but Mr Struck's comments are significant as Mr Kerry has argued that he would be able to draw in countries to work in Iraq that opposed the war. Gerhard Schröder, the German chancellor, was a leading opponent of the US-led Iraq war and his re-election in 2002 was secured in part on support for this stance.

Mr Struck and other German officials said developments in Iraq meant the position over troops was under constant review, noting that Berlin was already providing financial assistance to Iraq and training Iraqi troops and police officers in the United Arab Emirates.

A senior official said: ?When the situation in Iraq changes, when elections have been held, or there are other developments, then we will make decisions on this basis.? If a democratically-elected Iraqi government were to ask the UN for support, the international community, including Germany, must be in a position to respond, the official added.

Mr Struck said Germany's attendance at the conference proposed by Mr Kerry did not mean Berlin would immediately deploy troops. Analysts in Berlin argue that a Kerry victory would increase pressure on Germany to step up its involvement in Iraq, even though public opinion is still firmly against the US role in Iraq and against any heightened German engagement.

Mr Struck said he could envisage Germany making a larger ?political contribution to stability in the [Middle East] region?, building on mediation efforts in recent years by Joschka Fischer, foreign minister, regarding Israel and the Palestinians.

Germany announced last month a shipment of 20 armoured vehicles to the Iraqi military, as part of Berlin's increased involvement in Nato-led reconstruction efforts there.

Hmm...perhaps Kerry's simple suggestion of actually using diplomacy really is the proper way to go. Wonder if Bush will now try to steal Kerry's thunder and whip up some summit somewhere soon and claim to have been planning it all along.

 

[Infohawk]

Bush has no credibility. Just because you say you like diplomacy doesn't mean other people will buy it, especially if you're a bogus warmongering failure like GWB. We know the whole world is routing against Bush... There's nothing left to do except vote Bush out.

 

[glenn1]

I'm glad to see the Germans are reconsidering, although I would have been more pleased had they not waited until much of the heavy lifting was already done (i.e. until after Saddam was overthrown and elections held), although better late than never.

And what need is there for an international conference? What's left to decide? Sovereignity has been handed over, elections are scheduled for January, and the permanent constitution written after that. After the Iraqi voters take care of the last two, what's left to figure out except for how much money, materiél, and manpower the Iraqi government needs to stabilize the situation there?

 

[charrison]

Germany announced last month a shipment of 20 armoured vehicles to the Iraqi military, as part of Berlin's increased involvement in Nato-led reconstruction efforts there.

Does this make them a member of the coalition of the coersed and bribed?

 

[Napalm]

Originally posted by: glenn1
I'm glad to see the Germans are reconsidering, although I would have been more pleased had they not waited until much of the heavy lifting was already done (i.e. until after Saddam was overthrown and elections held), although better late than never.

And what need is there for an international conference? What's left to decide? Sovereignity has been handed over, elections are scheduled for January, and the permanent constitution written after that. After the Iraqi voters take care of the last two, what's left to figure out except for how much money, materiél, and manpower the Iraqi government needs to stabilize the situation there?

LOL... Nothing to see here, move along - mission accomplished...

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Napalm

Originally posted by: glenn1
I'm glad to see the Germans are reconsidering, although I would have been more pleased had they not waited until much of the heavy lifting was already done (i.e. until after Saddam was overthrown and elections held), although better late than never.

And what need is there for an international conference? What's left to decide? Sovereignity has been handed over, elections are scheduled for January, and the permanent constitution written after that. After the Iraqi voters take care of the last two, what's left to figure out except for how much money, materiél, and manpower the Iraqi government needs to stabilize the situation there?

LOL... Nothing to see here, move along - mission accomplished...

Good...we can bring our troops home now....just like Bush's sign said last year!

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: glenn1
I'm glad to see the Germans are reconsidering, although I would have been more pleased had they not waited until much of the heavy lifting was already done (i.e. until after Saddam was overthrown and elections held), although better late than never.

And what need is there for an international conference? What's left to decide? Sovereignity has been handed over, elections are scheduled for January, and the permanent constitution written after that. After the Iraqi voters take care of the last two, what's left to figure out except for how much money, materiél, and manpower the Iraqi government needs to stabilize the situation there?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

That's what's left to decide. Germany won't send troops now because there's no money in it for them. They didn't send troops in the first place because there was $$$$$$$$$ involved. It makes the world go round, or so I hear.

 

[Genx87]

This is such comedy to read these threads. Conjur gets his google returns for the night and posts.

It doesnt even take 3 minutes for his buddy Infohawk to respond with a comment about Bush.

Now if you can ge Todd more involved it would be three pees in a pod lol

As for the article I have a feeling you wont be seeing any Germans on the ground in Iraq if Kerry is elected. What would he tell his voters when election time comes up?

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Genx87
This is such comedy to read these threads. Conjur gets his google returns for the night and posts.

It doesnt even take 3 minutes for his buddy Infohawk to respond with a comment about Bush.

Now if you can ge Todd more involved it would be three pees in a pod lol

Then Genx87 comes in with an unsubstantive troll. Typical. :thumbsdown: for you and your kind.

 

[Genx87]

Unsbstantive troll? I have the proof right here in the thread bunkie.

8:16 Conjur posts
8:19 Infohawk posts with Bush has no credibility.

Predictable at least hehe

 

[Steeplerot]

Good to see our allies coming around.
With their help now we may be able to overthrow
OUR repressive regime with this exellent news for Kerry.
Viva Deutschland! I am wondering when the French are going to start mumbling support for Kerry.
Anyhow we all win in this (except bush) Iraqis get some help,and our soldiers will get some relief finally after how Bush has treated them. and we once again will stand shoulder to shoulder with our natural allies and hopefully we can get the job done asap and get ALL of them home.
Today is going to be a good day for peace and cooperation.
Bring 'em home Kerry! The sooner and safer the better! :thumbsup:

 

[Beowulf]

Straight now hopefully France will rethink what uniforms their ISAF soldiers should wear in Afghanistan. french metro-army uni

 

[CanOWorms]

Nah, they won't send any troops. Their soldiers will be too busy catching refugees, forcing them into concentration camps in North Africa, and patrolling the camps shooting refugees who try to escape.

 

[arsbanned]

This is a good sign. Germany would get on board if Kerry is elected. Normalizing relations with our allies is important. However, that cannot be done until Mr. Bush and Pat Robertson are gone from office.

 

[Klixxer]

It would have to involve some redistribution of contracts, that much is certain.

It worries me.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Nah, they won't send any troops. Their soldiers will be too busy catching refugees, forcing them into concentration camps in North Africa, and patrolling the camps shooting refugees who try to escape.

Don't forget spreading diseases you whacko.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Nah, they won't send any troops. Their soldiers will be too busy catching refugees, forcing them into concentration camps in North Africa, and patrolling the camps shooting refugees who try to escape.

Don't forget spreading diseases you whacko.

lol, I just noticed your sig. Is that what this is about? I think you misunderstood my statement. Certain European countries created the situation (through colonialism) to allow AIDS to thrive, they didn't make AIDS or force it on people. They destroyed the society, created chaos, etc. which allowed AIDS to thrive there. It's one of the effects of brutal colonialism by certain European powers.

 

[RabidMongoose]

I guess they would come on if they get some money (contracts) out of deployment.

I wonder what France is saying about this?

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Nah, they won't send any troops. Their soldiers will be too busy catching refugees, forcing them into concentration camps in North Africa, and patrolling the camps shooting refugees who try to escape.

Don't forget spreading diseases you whacko.

lol, I just noticed your sig. Is that what this is about? I think you misunderstood my statement. Certain European countries created the situation (through colonialism) to allow AIDS to thrive, they didn't make AIDS or force it on people. They destroyed the society, created chaos, etc. which allowed AIDS to thrive there. It's one of the effects of brutal colonialism by certain European powers.

We all know, the genocide of the American indians was Europes fault too, we are evil to the core.

Once upon a time you might have been credible, but ever since you started your vendetta against Europe you lost that, we do this, we do that, and all of europe is always to blame, in time you will say that we were responsible for the mess in Iraq too.

You are a complete whacko with enough hate for Europeans and Europe to last an entire nation for 50 years, don't worry though, sooner or later you will get help.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I guess they would come on if they get some money (contracts) out of deployment.

I wonder what France is saying about this?

Of course, the contracts need to be re-negotiated, is there any reasy why they shouldn't be?

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Nah, they won't send any troops. Their soldiers will be too busy catching refugees, forcing them into concentration camps in North Africa, and patrolling the camps shooting refugees who try to escape.

Don't forget spreading diseases you whacko.

lol, I just noticed your sig. Is that what this is about? I think you misunderstood my statement. Certain European countries created the situation (through colonialism) to allow AIDS to thrive, they didn't make AIDS or force it on people. They destroyed the society, created chaos, etc. which allowed AIDS to thrive there. It's one of the effects of brutal colonialism by certain European powers.

We all know, the genocide of the American indians was Europes fault too, we are evil to the core.

Ummm, well over 90% of them were killed by Europeans...

Once upon a time you might have been credible, but ever since you started your vendetta against Europe you lost that, we do this, we do that, and all of europe is always to blame, in time you will say that we were responsible for the mess in Iraq too.

Just because someone criticizes certain European policies doesn't mean that they have a vendetta against Europe. It's like saying that you are an American hater if you are against the Iraq war.

You are a complete whacko with enough hate for Europeans and Europe to last an entire nation for 50 years, don't worry though, sooner or later you will get help.

Sure.... I hate Europeans even though I try to post articles and news about European minorities. Just because they're not in the majority doesn't mean that they're not Europeans. That's exactly why the situation in Europe is getting worse.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I guess they would come on if they get some money (contracts) out of deployment.

I wonder what France is saying about this?

Of course, the contracts need to be re-negotiated, is there any reasy why they shouldn't be?

Not really..but if the contracts weren't going to be re-negotiated (let's say they had all been given out) then I don't think Germany would come on board. The world runs on money. Germany isn't going to help out to such a significant degree and commitment out of the goodness of their heart...just like any other country.

 

[piasabird]

Germany would love to get involved so they can sell everything under the son to the people of Iraq. France would probably change their mind if it was economically feasable. They use to support the Oil production in Iraq and probably made lots of money off of them. If the terrorists would just stop disrupting the Oil production, they could claim the benefits of its sale and develop a great new Iraq into an industrialist nation. I think they lack the vision and foresight this opportunity presents. Maybe they should bury the pipelines.

 

[maddogchen]

Looks like the Germans rethought and shot it down again, or the defense minister just mispoke:

link

Germany's defense minister suggested Wednesday that his country might one day send troops to Iraq (news - web sites), but Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder played down those remarks and said it would not happen. Germany strongly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and has refused to send any troops to Iraq, a position that officials say will hold no matter who wins next month's U.S. presidential election.

Didn't think it would happen anyway.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I guess they would come on if they get some money (contracts) out of deployment.

I wonder what France is saying about this?

Of course, the contracts need to be re-negotiated, is there any reasy why they shouldn't be?

Not really..but if the contracts weren't going to be re-negotiated (let's say they had all been given out) then I don't think Germany would come on board. The world runs on money. Germany isn't going to help out to such a significant degree and commitment out of the goodness of their heart...just like any other country.

If there is a reason they would, that is why there are still Germans in Afghanistan.

But in this case, we were told to go to hell, unusable and irrelevant, there has to be a real incentive to bring us back into the discussions, a re-negotiation of the contracts would be a start.