Berlin (bpb) The German Chancellor has spoken out against a war in Iraq in a nation-wide television address in Berlin on Tuesday, March 18, 2003. This is a transcription of the text of the Chancellor's address, broadcast by the TV station ARD only eight hours after the ultimatum by the US President George Bush:
"Dear fellow citizens,
the world is standing at the eve of a war. My question was and is: does the size of the threat by the Iraqi dictator justify the start of a war, which will bring certain death to thousands of innocent children, women and men? My answer in this case was and is: No!
Irak is today a country, which is completely controlled by the United Nations. Whatever the world Security Council required, is being more and more complied with. Therefor there is no reason to break off the disarmament process at this time.
My government, together with our partners, has worked hard for the constantly increasing success of Hans Blix and his colleagues. We have always understood it as our contribution to world peace. That corresponds to the basic values, to which we subscribe.
I am deeply touched, that in this attitude I am supported not only by the overwhelming majority of our people, but also by the majority on the World Security Council and the people of the world. I doubt that peace will get a chance in the next few hours. But it is also desirable that the dictator should lose his office, and the goal of the Resolution 1441 is the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
Dear fellow citizens,
whatever happens in the next days or even weeks: you may rest assured that my government will not pass up any opportunity, no matter how small, to use for peace. The United Nations remain the framework for this. And you can rest assured that we will undertake everything possible to maintain security in our country.
I have sworn to increase the well-being of our people, and to protect it from dangers. And that is so above all in the times of war. I shall continue with this, and trust in your desire for peace and in your support."
Copyright 2003 West Art, Prometheus 87, 2003