Schroeder speech puts `power' back into German politics [View All]

[dArKeR]

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Friday that Germany had been right to oppose the US-led war in Iraq, driving home his defiant message by repeatedly using the German word for "power," which leaders have long eschewed because of its associations with the Nazi era.

Schroeder, in a speech marking the 13th anniversary of German reunification, described the country as a "civil power" and an "economic power," responsible for fueling the growth of the EU.

The word "macht", or "power," has been laden with meaning since Hitler used it to describe a Germany bent on dominating its neighbors. But Schroeder talked about Germany's "civil power," which he said manifested itself in a peaceful foreign policy that could be spread throughout the world.

"German peace polices are policies for Europe and beyond," he said in a nationally televised speech. "I think we can be proud of the way Germany has accepted growing international responsibilities in recent years."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/10/05/2003070469

Do you think Bush could screw up the world any more in the year he's got left?