Still friends?

[AnnyED]

I would love to know what you think about the development in the relationship between Germany and the US in the moment. I´m getting more and more concerned when i realize what´s going on between the both countries i love so much (to say it once again: i´m german, but my heart beats strongly for America...). What do you think about this?

Anny

[sealpup121]

Anny I think the German government should quit dealing from the bottom of the deck and get back to a straight game. They are either an ally, or a hinderence, their choice. I'm not sure Germany has a clear vision of what the stakes are right now. I realize the government is there to protect and serve the country, but back door deals with Saddam is not the answer to the economic scenarios your politicians are setting their bets on.

[AnnyED]

Thanks for reply, pup!
I would have loved to hear some more opinions of you guys, but anyway... no problem. Of course it´s a "Ask a SEAL"-Forum and i should ask some more SEAL-specific questions here...

Wish you a very great day! :-)

Anny

[sealpup121]

Thanks for the reply, sealpup! Seems as if this topic is not of so much interest in this forum. Or probably the people are not so interested in our small, unimportant "Old Europe"-country... ;-)
I would have loved to hear some other opinions, but anyway... no problem. Of course it´s a "Ask a SEAL"-Forum and i should ask some more SEAL-specific questions here...

Wish you a very great day! :-)

Anny

Any time Anny, post this in the general forum and you may pick up more answers.

[Wazz]

Anny
I have the strong desire to say that Germany and America are still friends. Germany is a resilient Nation that has shown great strides in both productivity and Government.

I feel the slight difference between the adult German of today and the adult German of 1970 is the view that in 1970 the German felt a closer allience to America due to the assistance that Germany received from American, and how Germany rebounded using their own tiller. America furnished the initial building blocks, German governed those blocks, and when able started creating their own blocks and building with them.

Today's adult German is more viewing of Germany's present status as self dependent. A German of 25-35 years of age only knows what occured in their Nation after their own National awareness came into being, say from age 12 and on. Therefore the German of today belieives deeply in Germany's self reliance, and rightly so.

Germany 's stance on the Iraqie War can be understood. Germany wants more proof. America is reacting on what they think is proof. America is Iraq's target. Germany is not. It is understnadable for a Nation not in harms way to be more cautious than the Nation that is in the path of the destructive force.

[AnnyED]

Your words mean a lot to me, Wazz, you know that. Thanks for the objective view on the situation.

I agree that Germany and the US looking from different positions on this Iraq thing – and our chancellor is subject to very different pressures in his own country. But the question of the proof is actually the main problem. Today i heard that the german Federal Intelligence Service itself has proofs about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That they released this informations to the public in this status of the conflict means to me that Germany will change its position very soon. We will see...
I think alliances have to be strong enough to respect also different positions sometimes – as long as thefundament of the alliance is built on similar moralities, human rights and understanding of democracy.
And yes, i too think Germany and the US are still friends – even if they flex their muscles in the moment. A war in Iraq is actually a severe thing and it´s also a question of responsibility to check out all alternative options... I understand that in the case of Iraq will attack the US in some way it will be americans who´ll probably die first. But in a war against Iraq there is the same risk for your brave guys out there in the desert, and others will follow... that´s a sad thing and worth the try to be avoided.

God bless you all,

Anny