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Schroeder anti-Iraq attack message
BERLIN, Germany -- Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has again warned Washington that Germany will not take part in any military action against Iraq. In his first major speech to parliament since being re-elected in September, Schroeder also said war could be averted if Iraq disarmed. The U.S., supported by the UK, is attempting to secure a United Nations mandate authorising military action should Iraq not disarm and allow weapons inspectors into the country. But so far a U.N. Security Council vote has been delayed because the French want a two-stage resolution before action against Iraq is passed. Russia and China, also permanent members of the Security Council with veto powers, are also concerned by the U.S. plan. Schroeder told the German parliament that disarming Iraq should be the international community's main focus, Reuters reported. He said: "Due to the international discussion -- above all in the Security Council -- there is a chance that a military confrontation in the Gulf can still be avoided. "With respect to Iraq and other danger areas, a consistent policy of disarmament under international control must remain the primary goal. "That is one of the main reasons why what we (have) said is still valid -- we will not participate in a possible military attack against Iraq." Schroeder first announced Germany would not take part in military action against Iraq during the election campaign. It went down well with voters and members of coalition partners, the Greens who scored victories that secured the coalition served a second term. But the rhetoric angered Washington with senior members of the Bush administration saying ties between Germany and the U.S. had been poisoned. Joschka Fischer, the most high profile German Green and Foreign Affairs Minister, is due to visit the U.S. as part of attempts to repair bridges damaged during the election, which Schroeder said Germany valued despite their differences. "Our transatlantic relationship, which is based on solidarity between free democracies..., is of strategic importance," he said. "That does not rule out different assessments in economic and political questions. Where they exist, they will be dealt with factually and in the spirit of friendly cooperation." Fischer added: "We must be careful that good intentions don't produce the wrong consequences so that we don't increase terrorism risks in the end. "I am not sure if the majority of the American Congress, the majority of the American people are ready, if (Iraqi) regime change is actually achieved,...to take on responsibility for long-term nation building in such a dangerous region."
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A consistent policy of disarmament under international control must remain the primary goal.
