German President Quits Over Remarks on Military on why they are in Afghanistan

[mucifer]

Mr. Kohler admits the truth, that their troops are in Afghanistan to protect German ECONOMIC INTERESTS.

By JUDY DEMPSEY
Published: May 31, 2010


BERLIN — President Horst Köhler of Germany resigned on Monday amid a barrage of criticism for remarks he made a week ago during a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

It is the first time that a German president has ever resigned.

Mr. Köhler’s resignation from the largely ceremonial post is a blow for Chancellor Angela Merkel, a close friend and an important conservative political ally.

Mr. Köhler, a former director of the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, shocked Germans earlier this month when he said that the country’s soldiers serving in Afghanistan or other peacekeeping missions were deployed to protect German economic interests.

Usually, German leaders justify their soldiers’ presence in the American-led coalition by saying they are needed to thwart would-be terrorists who might use Afghanistan as a base for attacks in Europe.

But, in his contentious remarks, Mr. Köhler said: “A country of our size, with its focus on exports and thus reliance on foreign trade, must be aware that military deployments are necessary in an emergency to protect our interests, for example, when it comes to trade routes, for example, when it comes to preventing regional instabilities that could negatively influence our trade, jobs and incomes.”

In a short statement on Monday, Mr. Köhler said he regretted his remarks, saying he could not remain in office in the face of intense criticism and loss of confidence. He was accompanied by his wife, Eva Luise.He praised the German troops serving abroad, adding he deeply regretted his remarks and how they were misunderstood. snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/europe/01germany.html

[Mari333]

1. we all knew it all along..in the meantime, our own country lies its ass off

[Octafish]

2. Money Trumps Peace

That's what Smirko the Backrubber said:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x250447

[malaise]

3. Wow the first honest man has to resign

All war is about economics - it has not one damn thing to do with terrorists.

Mr. Köhler said: “A country of our size, with its focus on exports and thus reliance on foreign trade, must be aware that military deployments are necessary in an emergency to protect our interests, for example, when it comes to trade routes, for example, when it comes to preventing regional instabilities that could negatively influence our trade, jobs and incomes.”

Bravo Mr. Köhler !!

[donco6]

5. Sadly, honesty has no place in politics.

At least, that's what I'm concluding.

[mucifer]

6. and he is a right winger who worked for the IMF

[Barack_America]

4. He should have known better to mix truth and politics. nt

[Solly Mack]

7. It's quite the buzz here.

As to be expected...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. of course he is right

pity the others couldn't have given him some support.

[G_j]

9. well that says it all

it's a 'war on truth'

[flyarm]

10. Why is Truth always " misunderstood" ? and Lies are never lies? just wondering..eom

[ixion]

11. oops, he spoke the truth rather than lying...

that's the End of the Road in the BS political realm.

[joeybee12]

12. He forgot the first rule of politics: Never tell the truth...n/t

[UTUSN]

13. Isn't what he said the same as Shrub's about war being good for the economy?!1 n/t