German Defense Minister: 'We Can't Look Away'

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-german-defense-minister-ursula-von-der-leyen-a-945818.html



Germany has been heavily criticized in recent years for not doing its share in hotspots around the world. New Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen says that it is time for Berlin to take more responsibility. She also dreams of a European army.

German Defense Minister: 'We Can't Look Away'
Interview by René Pfister and Gordon Repinski
January 28, 2014 – 01:45 PM

SPIEGEL: Germany would like to become more engaged in Mali and perhaps also join the European Union mission in the Central African Republic. What are Germany's interests in those conflicts?

Von der Leyen: It isn't about German interests; it's about European interests. Africa is our direct neighbor. At the Strait of Gibraltar, the two continents are only 14 kilometers from one another. Should a large part of Africa become destabilized, it could have grave consequences for us. Let me remind you of the terrible images of the drowned refugees off the coast of Lampedusa.

SPIEGEL: The Central African Republic is not in North Africa. The country is 5,300 kilometers away from Germany. Why should German soldiers be sent there?

Von der Leyen: From a purely humanitarian perspective, we can't look away when murder and rape are taking place daily. A bloody war is developing in Central Africa between Christians and Muslims. We can't allow the conflict to engulf the entire region. From a population perspective, Central Africa is small, but it is surrounded by countries with more than 150 million inhabitants. One billion live in Africa. In the next 30 years, that number will double. If this growth takes place within democratic structures, the continent represents an opportunity for Europe. Many African countries today have shown vast improvement and have demonstrated that stability and growth are possible. A booming Africa is an opportunity, particularly for a country like Germany with such strong exports.

[pampango]

1. The whole concept of R2P endorsed by the UN is to not look away

just because human rights abuses are "over there" not "here".

Good for Germany.

[bemildred]

2. I concur.

You want evidence of the US' "retreat"?

Japan and Germany are both making noises about defending themselves again. We are leaving the post-WWII era for good.