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US to punish German 'treachery'

Posted by Julia Huber at 11:15am on Monday, 17th February 2003

America is to punish Germany for leading international opposition to a war against Iraq. The US will withdraw all its troops and bases from there and end military and industrial co-operation between the two countries - moves that could cost the Germans billions of euros.

Click here for article.


Comments

1
I'd be interested to know how this is affecting Schroder's domestic political standing. How popular will it be if the US military leaves?
Posted by Paul Paul  at 12:56pm on Monday, 17th February 2003
2
Surprisingly this has not really been in the German news, so my friends back home were surprised and shocked to hear about these US plans. First of all I think what needs to be clear is that Germans would, in my opinion, not welcome this US policy. The US military presence is not really seen as an 'occupying' force which people will be glad to see leave, but as a something that has always been there and protected Germany. Furthermore, as mentioned in the article, it will have economic effects, which would weaken the already weak German economy even more. I think it would be perceived by Germans as a punishment for German misbehaviour. Now in regards to Schroeder's political standing this could either unite Germany in its stand against the US led war in Iraq even more, or, as the economic situation currently is dire and would be worsened by this US policy, result in doubts in Schroeder's position and cause a shift towards the position of the conservatives who are not categorically opposed to the war. I tend to think that it might result in the former, but I am not entirely sure, as there are serious domestic economic problems which affect 'everyone' in Germany and certainly make a principled stand in foreign policy less attractive.
Posted by Julia Julia  at 10:45am on Tuesday, 18th February 2003
3
Hi, just wanted to say great blog.
Posted by Jamie Jamie  at 12:49am on Thursday, 8th April 2004
4
Without hope, the rest is nothing.
Posted by Levy Matt  at 3:45pm on Monday, 3rd May 2004

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