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Germany
Calling
FROM THE GERMAN JOURNALISTS OF www.german-foreign-policy.com Translated by Edward Spalton and staff of Free Nations
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GERMANY'S POST-WAR WAR - AGAINST THE USA Date of Report 27 March 2003 (For the historic connections between Germany and Iraq click here: IRAQ AND GERMAN EUROPE - THE HISTORIC CONNECTIONS) GERMAN "SPECIAL STAFF" FOR IRAQ BERLIN - The German government is taking steps to assure its influence
in Iraq after the expected occupation by the USA and its allies. Berlin
seeks to diminish the militarily achieved advantage of the United States
by the political superiority of those states which opposed the war but
it does not renounce the use of its own military forces. The German
Foreign Office has already set up its own "Sonderstab Irak"
(Special Staff Iraq), working out the German concepts for the reconstruction
of Iraq. The participation of the Bundeswehr in a UN peace-keeping force
is also being prepared, according to Chancellor Schroeder announced the German position two hours after
the beginning of hostilities. He said that the UN and Security Council
must play a central role in the post war ordering of Iraq. That would
enable Berlin "the possibility of playing a leading role in a post
war political order" . Foreign Minister Fischer enlarged on the
idispensibility of the UN. "There are those who must come to acknowledge
it although they are presently of the opinion that war is now the correct
means". Those opposed to war should A "ROBUST MANDATE" FOR THE UN (MILITARY ROLE FOR GERMANY) Shortly after the war started Berlin chalked up its first victory at
the special session of the NATO Council. The United States' attempt
to create a "coalition of the willing" for the reconstruction
of Iraq ran up against resistance from all 18 partners. This is believed
to be a matter for the internationally legitimate UN on its own. At
their summit meeting of 20 March the EU states followed the Berlin line.
The EU would "strengthen its Similar controversies over the division of influence in Iraq have already broken out in the Security Council. The German press reports that experts of the Council were working "under German leadership" on a further resolution on Iraq. The US plans for a military administration were placed in question by the German delegation because they were incompatible with a "creative role" for the UN. The UN did not wish "to legitimise the occupying power or be subject to it", said an EU diplomat. A ROLE FOR THE BUNDESWEHR In the meantime the Foreign Office had set up "Sonderstab Irak"
to elaborate on the German concepts for "the reconstruction of
Iraq". The German press reports that preparations are in hand for
"substantial" participation by the Bundeswehr in a UN peace-keeping
force. The Federal Agency for External Economy (BFAI), which supports
German executives who are active in the region, has already studied
Iraq's growth potential after the war and estimates that it is "highly
significant". With 23 million inhabitants and a well educated work
force, which was mostly occupied in repair work and aid supplies during
the sanctions period, Iraq has a highly favourable outlook The German press reports that there are chances for a possible compromise with the USA over the post war development plan. It is reported that Berlin wants to use "billions of aid" to buy its way back into a reasonable relationship with the USA. Three weks ago the US State Department announced the first model for the division of "aid for reconstruction" and Chancellor Schroeder took this signal as an opportunity to restore dialogue. Secretary of State Powell has already announced that there will be opportunities in reconstruction for all who wish to take part. This could be interpreted as an invitation to countries such as France and Germany. SOURCES EU Summit. Aid for the Arab World Spiegel online 20/03/03 |