US sees no opposition to boosting NATO Iraq role

[Barrett808]

BRUSSELS (AFP) Dec 04, 2003

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that no NATO member, including France and Germany, opposed the idea of a greater role for the Alliance in Iraq.

But speaking after talks with his NATO counterparts, he said there was agreement that Afghanistan was a more pressing issue for the 19-member Alliance.

"Not a single member... spoke against it or spoke of reasons not to do it," he told reporters, adding "and that includes the two you mentioned, France and Germany" when asked if Berlin and Paris had raised objections.

But he added: "Our principal focus right now has to be Afghanistan."

(more)

http://www.spacewar.com/2003/031204144205.7xmdjlte.html

[ze_dscherman]

1. They'd meet resistance in the streets

At least Germany won't send troops into Iraq, and I doubt France would, unless there'd be a fundamental change of U.S. politics.

The German secretary of defense has stressed several times, that German involvment in Afghanistan was using up military ressources and that Iraq would be no option. And anyhow, there would be HUGE protestst if German soldiers were sent into Iraq.