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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (32373)	6/15/2002 10:37:57 AM
From: Elsewhere	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Hawk, In my opinion, and based upon the views of folks who have worked in Europe on the issue, before 9/11 European leaders had payed "lip service" to dealing with terrorism, fearing a backlash of violence against themselves reminescent of the '70s and '80s. Germany has never stopped monitoring and prosecuting Muslim extremists and terrorists. They were a target long before the average US citizen would have been able to pinpoint Iraq on map. European support for the Palestinians, EU support for Arafat is an ugly spot, admittedly. But it's improving. Just an hour ago I read a headline that the EU is freezing EUR 18 millions of aid for the PA. Europeans are more hostage to the "oil weapon" than is the US No, they aren't. As I posted in #reply-17436220 Germany reduced OPEC imports by 20% within one year (2000 -> 2001). Russian oil is closer and safer. Furthermore, you're geographically closer to the mid-east, and a greater percentage of your populations are muslim than in the US. Most Muslims in Germany are of Turkish origin, and Turkey is an ally in Enduring Freedom. Thus, a fear of creating political backlash on the domestic front. No. It is a deliberate decision to fight terrorism within the boundaries of international law. It is handled as a police action against individuals and groups. Invading whole countries by military force is not included unless supported by a UN assembly vote. Jochen