-Caveat Lector- http://www.prolog.net/webnews/wed/ac/Qiraq-germany-us.RjAJ_CDH.html
Pentagon aide says German "no" on Iraq war equals support for Saddam Tuesday, 17-Dec-2002 4:20AM Story from AFP Copyright 2002 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet) BERLIN, Dec 17 (AFP) - Top Pentagon advisor Richard Perle said in an interview Tuesday that a German "no" to strikes against Baghdad on the UN Security Council would be akin to backing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Following months of simmering tensions over German opposition to military action against Baghdad, Perle told Germany's daily Die Welt that if Berlin were to use its non- permanent seat on the Security Council from January to vote against a war, it would be "catastrophic" for transatlantic relations. "If a chancellor refuses to support even a UN-led action, one can only see that as de facto support for Saddam Hussein," Perle said in comments printed in German. "It would be catastrophic for the German-American relationship." He said abstaining in such a vote "wouldn't change much. That's something for people who can't make up their minds." Beginning on January 1, 2003, Germany will take up a non-permanent seat on the 15- member UN Security Council for a period of two years, and will take the chair in February. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's center-left government has declined to reveal how it would vote on a possible UN resolution on the use of force against Iraq. Schroeder's anti-war rhetoric helped his ruling coalition scrape to victory in the September general election, but angered US President George W. Bush. Relations have improved somewhat with Berlin's indication that it will not block the United States and its allies from using its military assets based in Germany, but Schroeder's coalition appears to be split over what to do if Washington attacks Baghdad without a new UN resolution. The US administration has said it will consult with the Security Council in case Iraq violates UN resolution 1441 on weapons inspections and disarmament, but has maintained a new resolution authorizing use of force against Baghdad is not necessary. dlc/tm Iraq-Germany-US <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
