Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 30, 2002
German Government Reiterates Opposition to Iraqi War
German government leaders on Tuesday reiterated their criticism of Washington's Iraqi policy, saying that the country would not join any US-led military strikes on Iraq.
German government leaders on Tuesday reiterated their criticism of Washington's Iraqi policy, saying that the country would not join any US-led military strikes on Iraq.
"We will not take part in a possible war against Iraq," said Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in his first policy speech to the Bundestag (lower chamber of parliament) since winning the re-election.
"Security today can be less than ever achieved with military means -- not to speak of only using military means," Schroeder said.
He stressed that the causes of violence in the world had to be solved through more active policies for conflict prevention, social welfare, environmental security, economic cooperation and human rights.
Also speaking on the Bundestag floor, Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said after a series of terrorist attacks such as those in Bali and Moscow, it would make no sense to regard Iraq as prior threat.
Fischer, who embarks on a three-day fence-mending trip to Washington Wednesday, also warned that a military strike could consequently lead to more acts of terrorism.