Germany Sees End to Deadlock Over Iraq

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Germany signaled Thursday that its bitter dispute with the United States over starting NATO's defensive preparations for an Iraq war could end as early as Saturday, but it was unclear whether holdouts France and Belgium would go along.

After a month of resistance, the three European nations say they will only consider the start of NATO planning to defend Turkey after a U.N. meeting on Friday, when weapons inspectors are due to present their latest report on Iraq's cooperation.

Germany, France and Belgium have held out for four weeks against the U.S.-backed request to send AWACS surveillance planes, Patriot missiles and biochemical units to protect Turkey against any Iraqi counterstrike.

They maintain that starting military planning now is premature and could undercut U.N. efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis peacefully.

NATO officials reacted with caution to Struck's comments.

They said no meeting had yet been scheduled for Saturday and repeated the view of the United States and 15 other allies that planning to help Turkey should start as soon as possible.

[mf_dolphin]

I think a good swift lick in the ass is in order for all three of the holdouts. :grab:

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

No doubt...I just dont get why they arent going along this time. Besides, they shouldnt worry that those countries will attack them, they have their own forces as well. They just think we start too much turmoil and they dont want in for fears they'll be shafted down the road for exports etc. i hope they get their act together...we need all of NATO in on this one.

[bfez1]

MF, here, use my boot
Now give em a good,swift kick in the _ss from all of us here at storm2k

[JCooper]

What we should do is pull all of our troops out of Germany.. Hell I guess they are not worried we have several bases in Germany.

[stormraiser]

Thanks for the offer Bfez, but I would like to personally get a few good kicks in myself. :p

MF, here, use my boot
Now give em a good,swift kick in the _ss from all of us here at storm2k

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

I was stationed over there in Germany 3 years and we got called up for the Gulf War in November of 1990 from there. There's plenty of bases over there and that country resembles my hometown here in PA or NY almost to the T...except much cleaner and prettier. I am pretty sure a few bases including the one I was at have now folded and packed up...I'm not sure if anymore will leave, but they should still have a good number of troops there for any reason...including deployment for war.

[streetsoldier]

News Flash...

ROMANIA has offered us use of their bases, and their own military for non-combat deployment (guess this means "humanitarian, after-the-fact"); Poland's offer is also on the table, and Ukraine (?!!!) wants a piece of our "action", too...

"Grossdeutschland" is waking up to the fact that they are being left behind, and they don't LIKE it...as to the French, "let them eat $#!+". Ditto for the Belgians, in both Walloon French and Flemish!

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

lol no doubt! Seems like they just want to remain a unified Deutchland and spend their marks without the currency exchanging! Bunch of Svinehundts!