Germany in rethink on Iraq force deployment[They like Kerry]

[AnIndependentTexan]

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/0b76459e-1c80-11d9-8d72-00000e2511c8.html


Germany in rethink on Iraq force deployment
By Hugh Williamson and Gerrit Wiesmann in Berlin
Published: October 12 2004 22:07 | Last updated: October 12 2004 22:07

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

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 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.

[BootinUp]

1. Reverse October Surprise!!!!

:bounce:

[Gabi Hayes]

2. this is GIGANTIC! HUGE

October surprise by FAR!

hahahahahahahahahahahhaahhahaaaaaaaaaaa


now, what if Chirac brings up the FACT that he was ready to send fifteen THOUSAND troops to Iraq if dumbo would only wait a month or two, and give inspectors the chance to do a little more checking

WHERE is the media on THAT one?

we know it here, but does anybody else?

huh?

this really should be a big nail in Dracula's coffin, yes?

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. I think public opinion in Germany

would also change once Kerry become President.

The Europeans love(d) Clinton and I think they would appreciate Kerry even more now that they've had 4 years of Furious George.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. will media ignore this as much as possible?

the DEMS better make this the CENTERpiece of their campaign, cause the MASSIVE majority wants us out of there ASAP, but doesn't want the attendant chaos

if we can get anybody stupid enough to take our place, more's the better

can't believe anyone else will send troops, but, hey.....

[iwantmycountryback]

5. BAM!!

I wish they would just say they would send troops if Kerry became president, but this has to get legs in the news.

[elf]

6. People, don't be too enthusiastic right now

I know, my government is waiting for Kerry, BUT THEY WILL NEVER SEND TROUPES!!!!


It's against our Constitution. We can't send soldiers into a country, which hadn't attacked us!!!!!

This constitution was developed after WWII from USA, FRANCE and RUSSIA, to make sure, that never again an aggression is getting started from the Germans!!!



:shrug: :pals:

[olddem43]

8. Germany did send "peace keeping forces" to one recent

conflict. I remember this because there was a joke to the effect that "German peace keepers" seemed like an oxymoron.

[gavodotcom]

9. WTF are you talking about?

Currently (end of April 2001) Germany is directly participating in 7 of the 18 ongoing UN missions/UN-mandated missions (UNIKOM/Iraq, UNMIBH/ Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNMIK/Kosovo, UNTAET/East Timor, UNOMIG/ Georgia and also SFOR/Bosnia and Herzegovina and KFOR/ Kosovo), contributing some 7300 troops and 450 police officers and civilian specialists. Hence also in terms of personnel Germany is one of the biggest contributors to UN operations.

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/aussenpolitik/vn/vereinte_nationen/dt-friedensmiss_html">Source

[life_long_dem]

7. if it is true

Kerry needs to bring it up during the debate somehow. Since the debate is on domestic issues, how will he fit it in to his talking points?

[Arancaytar]

10. Simple, he'll respond when Shrubbie brings it up.

Which he well, doubtlessly. As much as I would love to see the moderator call Bush to discipline for that, I'd first like to see Kerry flattening him on it once again before moving back on topic.