Bush Praises German Peacekeeping Efforts

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush praised Germany's efforts at the head of peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan and said Friday it was a big change from six months ago when Germany opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Bush said he intended to thank German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for what his country had done in Afghanistan but did not say when. Bush last spoke to Schroeder briefly at an economic summit meeting in France in June.

Speaking to reporters with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld at his side, Bush said the United States was working hard to bring other nations to help in the aftermath of the war in Iraq. Then he switched to Afghanistan.

``Germany is taking a very active role in Afghanistan, and we're very thankful for that,'' Bush said. ``As NATO steps forward, Germany has assumed a big responsibility. And we really appreciate the German participation.''

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3005148,00.html




Funny thing is: the events praised took place six months ago

i thought they were just a part of "old Europe" :eyes:

about the US threatening Germany with sanctions/penalties if they invested in Libya's energy sector. I know Sharon and the gang have been griping and pointing fingers at Libya, maybe they are next on the neo-con list.

When reading about our condescending and crass posture towards Germany, i was thinking and these assholes want Germany to contribute troops to Iraq-nam ?

for bullying Germany into cooperating. But he hasn't bothered to thank Schroeder yet, after 6 months? Anyone still wonder why we don't have any allies anymore?

Bush was asked if Americans were going to end up footing the bill for Iraq, and Bush answered that he was pleased that the Germans were going to help in Afghanistan. "Next question...how bout you 'Bingo Boy'. Hot enough for you. We've got to get done with these questions and get in out of this heat, don't you think?"

PNAC empire. And that Germany is actually in real time contributing troops and a real effort to save the Karzai government has to be considered a real important asset. If they're having trouble raising troops for Iraq, imagine how hard it is recruiting troops for Afghanistan?

about what to do in Afghanistan. While our minister of defence thinks that it's necessary to send troops outside of Kabul, one military expert says that this would be suicidal. Maybe Bush just tries to support the hardliners in Germany.
Dirk

that he has to throw a nicey-nice bone every once in a while in order to get co-operation.