Germany loses the Battle of Tripoli
(BRUXELLES2) Definitely Libya does not succeed in Germany. During the Second World War, it was in Libya (and in Egypt) that the Desert Rats (French, British and... Polish) prevailed over the Afrika Korps, by Rommel (*), today today rebelote, the Franco-British by a stubborn position sometimes difficult to justify to their public opinion, made swallow his pen to the handsome Guido Westerwelle, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs. The latter indeed led German foreign policy in reverse of that led by its Western allies. And one wonders how Germany will be able to extricate itself from what must be described as a strategic error and avoid paying for it in cash... in Libya or elsewhere. makes a victim
A Germany to the end in hostility to the CNT ...
Guido Westerwelle's position was indeed rather straightforward: hostility to the United Nations resolution (one negative abstention), wait-and-see attitude towards armed intervention (not content with not participating, Germany withdrew its ships of the Mediterranean) and continual skepticism on the Libyan opposition of the CNT by refusing to recognize until recently to recognize any legitimacy to him. A German position that could be justified at the start of the Libyan crisis and less and less shared, as events unfolded. In recent days, the Germans were somewhat alone in Europe to have been such an extremist.
... gradually isolated on the European chessboard
Without going as far as the enthusiasm of the French and British, followed by their Belgian, Danish or Norwegian allies who participated in the air strikes on Libya, most European countries (Netherlands, Spain, Greece, etc.) have opted for a more flexible attitude towards the engagement in Libya and, above all, have evolved in time.
With a very changing position, not to say totally messy, the Italians are the champions in all categories of this development. They thus went from a refusal of armed intervention, to logistical support, then to a more notable commitment (fleet, planes, etc.), while expressing certain critical positions; expressed first of all marks of reluctance vis-à-vis the CNT to a resolute commitment at its side; refused too strong sanctions vis-à-vis the Gaddafi regime until its acceptance. Italy managed to get back into the game of international negotiations very quickly. And, even if it is not admitted today, the presence of special services - even of Italian special forces -; their privileged contacts with the Libyan regime will undoubtedly prove over time as one of the international elements of the battles in Libya, particularly in Tripoli.
The Poles, very silent at the start, also made a noisy turnaround with the drum and trumpet landing of Foreign Minister Sikorski alongside the CNT in Benghazi. On the margins of the European Union, we can also note the reversal of Turkey, close to Tripoli and increasingly harsh vis-à-vis the Gaddafi regime, to then move closer to the CNT.
But Guido does not regret anything
Despite everything, Guido Westerwelle remains straight in his boots. Speaking in Berlin to the press on Monday (August 22), he had no word of regret about his position, considering the German non-engagement justified. Better he did not address any thanks to the British and French commitment. " Libyans fought for their freedom and it is a success of the Libyan people he said without a word for his NATO allies, even giving advice to the allies on the risk of an occupation. Not a word either from the CNT except to call the National Transitional Council " to refrain from acts of revenge and to achieve a peaceful transition to democracy All remarks undoubtedly founded but which sound like a singular strategic error for the German place in the Arab world. Yet Westerwelle does not despair of positioning Germany on the Libyan market.
To die for Tripoli, no. But the Libyan petrodollars, yes.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said so clearly. Germany is " clearly for democratic change and for the transition to be peaceful and orderly. Alongside democracy, we must also focus on economic reconstruction "" Germany is ready to act ", he added...
Basically we don't want to die for Tripoli. But we want to get the dividends. Rarely has a Western leader been so cynical If the CNT's promise to take into account the commitments at its side in the allocation of future markets in the new Libya, German industrialists can begin to change flags.
(*) and... Italy, which was present in Libya and suffered its first defeat there in Kufra.
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