Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

"Kein 'US-Protektorat' im Irak ("No 'US protectorate' in Iraq") says the headline in this story in Germany's FOCUS magazine. According to the report, the German government believes that the USA should be responsible for the "lion's share" of the reconstruction of Iraq after the war. "Who destroys, also bears the burden of financing the reconstruction," said Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, adding that a "US protectorate" should not be allowed in Iraq and the UN must lead the reconstruction.

"Who destroys?" But who has destroyed Iraq? Who ravaged its economy to fund two invasions of neighbouring states and then squandered its resources on efforts to acquire awesome weaponry? Who looted a nation's treasure to make deals with, among others, German and French companies for the materials that have brought nothing but suffering to his subjects? Who has murdered and tortured and repressed and ruined Iraq?

In light of such statements from Berlin, one must say that it will be an enormous relief when this German government is nothing more than an unpleasant memory.