Germans attack USA policy towards Iraq

BERLIN The German Chancellor and the Foreign Ministry have distanced themselves from the threats being made by the United States against Iraq. Chancellor Schröder told Newsweek that he did not expect a unilateral American action against Iraq, while a government official in the Foreign Ministry spoke harshly against the Americans ,,settling old scores"and using the war against terror as an excuse for finishing off the Gulf War. The leader of the Green party (which controls the Foreign Ministry) said that an American attack on Iraq would endanger the coalition against terror. She definitely ruled out any German participation in such attacks. In his Newsweek interview, the Chancellor said that his government was determined to pursue ,,a resolute policy"against Baghdad but that this did not mean military action. Politicians in the Christian Democrat and FDP Liberal parties also warned of the ,,incalculable risks"of a war against Iraq. Quelle: European Foundation Intelligence Digest, No.135, 7th February 2002