The german greens and Schröder: Fit for War:

"PRINCETON (Own report) - During a high profile policy speech, the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, offered ,,equal" partnership to the US administration for the purpose of, jointly, winning the struggle for a ,,new world order". The ,,new world order" would eliminate international ,,loss of order" and achieve ,,positive globalization." All methods must be employed and belligerent actions are not specifically ruled out. Rather it is meant ,,to strengthen" the ,,military capabilities of Europe". The foreign minister said that for that reason Germany and the EU had to base their policies on an expanded ,,concept of security". European armament must be granted quantitative as well as qualitative priority. The introduction of belligerent options pervades the whole policy speech."
german-foreign-policy.com

Hello from Germany,
Dirk

I still don't know what to think about this. If it's a more or less clever tactic (whether Schröder nor Fischer are very clever) to just prepare a military force in Europe under the leadership of Germany and to just calm down Bush and co. with some cheap phrases about democrazy, freedom blablabla. Or if Fischer, or rather his adivisors, who do the work for him, are really serious about that.

Offering to help win the struggle for a "new world order" and achieve
"positive globalization" (whatever that is) sets off all kinds of alarm
bells with me. But, like you say, they could be appeasing Bush by offering him their assistance and using some of his own code words. If
I were a German, I think I'd be watching how this story develops.

This is hardly a credible source. Building up an EU rapid defense force is old news. This was lobbying, as they want the US to cease their intereference with building up an independent joint EU force.

result of Bu$h policy. God only knows what it will lead to in the future. Its sad that Bu$h had caused a rift between our allies.

Dunno, but this sounds like a trojan horse thing to me (and that's good).

"Hey, Mr. Bush! You know what? We hate terror too! We hate it so much we want to create a big, badass, mother-funkin' military to show how much we rock! Yeah!"

Well, um, you get the point.

In all honesty, this does sound like an interesting move. Not sure yet whether it's good or bad.

Thanks!

DU Moderator