Possible Strike Against Iraq Stirs Uneasiness in Germany

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 02, 2002

Possible Strike Against Iraq Stirs Uneasiness in Germany

Possible military strike against Iraqby the United States has caused worries and objections in Germany.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Possible military strike against Iraqby the United States has caused worries and objections in Germany.

Despite all the assertions made by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder that there are no signs for such an attack, opposition politicians have asked the government to share information about the background of the ongoing debates about possible strike against Iraq in the United States.

Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac said at a German-French summit meeting last Tuesday that US President George W. Bush has promised to hold negotiations with its European allies before military actions against Iraq. So far, there have been no such consultations.

Chairman of Free Democratic Party (FDP) Guido Westerwelle has asked the government for exchange of views in terms of US militaryplans on Iraq.

The government has offered no information about US reports thatsaid the Iraqi leadership has had links with the terrorist organization El Kaida, said Westerwelle.

Foreign affairs expert of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Karl Lamers deemed that the European Union should prevent a military strike against Iraq.

There is no evidence that Saddam Hussein has provided weapons of mass destruction to terrorists, said the official. Only when Europe speaks with one voice, can the strike be prevented, he noted.

International law specialist Christian Tomuschat of the Berlin Humboldt-University asked the United States to respect the international law.

Attack against a third country is not allowed without permission by the UN Security Council, he added.

The debate in Germany is triggered with a hearing of the Commission for Foreign Affairs in the US Senate at which American Iraq-experts discussed about a military strike against Baghdad.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell emphasized Thursday during an ASEAN-meeting in Brunei that the United States has not decided on a military action against Iraq. His spokesman confirmed that Bush would negotiate with US allies if it would take military actions.

Questions?Comments? Click here

US Senate Disputes Wisdom of War on Iraq

Bush Needs Congress Authorization on Iraq: US Senator

>> Full Coverage

News Analysis: Why China Ranks Sixth in World Trade ( 24 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 156 Messages)

Institutional Guarantee for the Selection and Appointment of Capable People ( 33 Messages)

Renminbi Appeals Increasingly to Domestic Users: Statistics ( 38 Messages)

US Right Wing Forces Tend to Fan Up 'China Threat Theory' Again ( 24 Messages)

China Protests over Falun Gong Resolution by US Congress ( 84 Messages)