Germans mass to
cheer Obama last week: But
If he wins, will
they come to rue the day? …
Financial Times
Deutschland, Germany
'Hangover' After
the Obama Rush
"Up to now,
Germans could refuse a more robust mandate for Afghanistan by quietly hinting
that one really mustn't follow the lead of George W. Bush. But it will be much
harder, after one has just applauded him, to reject the first urgent request
from a President Obama. … That’s why it's possible some would prefer a man whom
it would be easier to contradict: John McCain. "
EDITORIAL
Translated By Julian Jacob
July 26, 2008
Germany
- Financial Times Deutschland - Original Article (German)
Those who cheer Obama today may have to negotiate with him
over Afghanistan tomorrow. For the Union and the Social Democratic Party, this
could become a problem during the 2009 federal election campaign.
If you want to know what the foreign policy of a possible
President Barack Obama might look like, take a look at the route of his
itinerary. Before the U.S. senator was cheered in Berlin, he visited
Afghanistan and Iraq - the sore points for the Americans. Beyond the desired PR
campaign effects, one can identify a clear sequence: First, Obama sees a
problem. Then he goes where, from his point of view, the solution lies.
Obama’s speech in Berlin was an advertisement for the common
battle against terrorism. For the federal government, this very clearly means
that a greater commitment is expected. The United States will not accept an
indefinite situation in which they wear themselves out fighting the Taliban,
while the Germans offer friendly help with reconstruction.
For a President Obama, not only military
- but financial relief in the war against terrorism will be important, simply
for a crisis-ridden America to remain capable of taking action. The Bundestag
[Parliament] must decide in the autumn to increase the German quota for
Afghanistan from 1,000 to 4,500 troops. But Obama will require more, including
their deployment to the dangerous south of the country.
About
200,000 people in Berlin gather to hear Barack Obama speak.
All of this has long been clear to representatives of the
Grand coalition [the ruling coalition led by Angela Merkel which includes the
conservatives (CDU/CSU) and social democrats (SPD)]. And
yet in dealing with Obama, they act as though they are dealing with a stuffed
animal who utters words of reconciliation when one shakes his hand. Politicians
of almost every party convey the feeling that with this charismatic Democrat,
the transatlantic partnership will automatically flourish.
While the government already knows what's coming its way,
the voters for the major parties could soon experience a rude awakening - when
they find that Obama’s new America has the same old objectives. Up to now,
Germans could refuse a more robust mandate for Afghanistan by quietly hinting
that one really mustn't follow the lead of George W. Bush. But it will be much
harder after one has just applauded him, to reject the first urgent request
from a President Obama.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
[The Telegraph, U.K.]
Things could get especially unpleasant for the Social
Democratic Party and the Union [coalition], when the first official actions
taken by the new President fall right in the middle of the federal elections of
2009. In such a phase, no one in Germany would want to be suspected of being
too close to the Americans. All the nice pictures will then be taken down - and
acrimonious captions will be added below them. That’s why it's possible some
would prefer a man whom it would be easier to contradict: John McCain.
CLICK
HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US July 30, 7:14pm]
