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German U.S. Ambassador, Wolfgang Ischinger on U. S. Fox News TV: "What You Need From Us, are Not Really German Soldiers in Iraq"

... Interviewer of the German Ambassador: Fox News Personality Bill O'Reilly (politically conservative). His daily show, "O'Reilly Factor", is one of the Top 10 shows on American television.

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Bill O’Reilly: Germany is helping America out in Afghanistan with about 2000 troops. But it says, it will not help with troops in Iraq even if the UN does. Joining us now from Washington is the German ambassador to the United States, Wolfgang Ischinger. Hi, Mr. Ambassador, look: I think we are going to win in Iraq, I think the United States will prevail. But if we don't, it's going to be terrible for the rest of the world. If the terrorists win in Iraq, it's going to be awful. We saw it happen in Turkey, Saudi Arabia. They’re just gonna gain strength, and you’re going to get it over in Germany. So, why wouldn't you help us out a little bit now?

Ambassador Ischinger: Well, we are helping. Look, Germany had not a single soldier abroad as recently as 7 or 8 years. 9-11 shook our nation just as much as is shook the United States. We sent, for the first time since World War II, troops overseas, away from Europe, to Afghanistan. That’s been a huge step.

Bill O’Reilly: Wait, Mr. Ambassador, you’re a strong country, you’re united now, primarily because of the United States’ largesse. You have resources, you have money, you have discipline … you can send 5000 troops to Iraq. Don’t tell me, you can’t. Because I know you can, and you know you can. And you’re not, and that’s hurting the United States. Period.

Ambassador Ischinger: I’m not sure that I agree with you. We have decided to be America’s strongest military and nonmilitary partner in Afghanistan. We have today 4 times more European troops in the Balkans than the United States. We do not have a large number of troops that have been trained and equipped for service in that type of condition. What you need from us, I think, is not really German soldiers in Iraq. What you need from us is the kind of cooperation on the fight of terrorism …

Bill O’Reilly: But, you’re providing that. Youre prividing the intelligence, and we know that. But listen. We don't need your 5000 troops, you're right. But symbolically, they would mean an awful lot. Even if it would (be) 3000 or 2000. Symbolically, it would say to the world that Germany is united with the United States on the war on terror. But you know that. Schroeder is playing politics at home with this, and it hurts us.

Ambassador Ischinger: Look, we don't only have the peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan. We have, and that is unfortunately totally unknown to the American public, we have a naval contingent in the Indian Ocean, working with the American Navy …

Bill O’Reilly: Mr. Ambassador, and we appreciate that. But this is the crucial time in Iraq. Mr. Ambassador, let me be really frank, we have got a minute left. My money and every other person's money watching you right now in America went to liberate your country. We spent billions of dollars to help Germany break away from the Soviet Union. We rebuild your country after Hitler ruined it, OK? You owe us in Iraq, you owe us to help us out there.

Ambassador Ischinger: OK, Germany will be forever grateful. And my entire generation of Germans is grateful to America for what you have done for us and for our future. In helping us withstand the pressure from the Soviets in the fifties, seventies, eighties, and helping us unite our country. Our gratitude will be eternal. And here comes my proposal. Chancellor Schroeder, only a week or two ago in a comment made to the Wall Street Journal said that Germany is ready to take the initiative to make sure that we get substantial and generous debt relief for Iraq. Now, how do you like that?

Bill O’Reilly: That's good …

Ambassador Ischinger: We’re talking about 6 billion dollars!

Bill O’Reilly: … but we need a symbolic gesture of troops there that would really help us. Well, Mr. Ambassador, we will have you on again, you’re a standup guy, and we appreciate it.








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