German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has asked to avoid anti-American or anti-Russian reflexes in the discussions about the missile defence system (Die WELT, “Der Kalte Krieg ist vorbei”, 24. Februar 2007). I am delighted to hear that! I only wonder whether he is going to follow his own advice. For this is what he said in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper earlier this week (”The door to negotiations remains open”, 19.02.2007) :
Are the US plans to station a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe wise?
As the stationing locations are closer to Russia, the Americans should have spoken to Russia beforehand. (…)
This statement was rejected by Condolezza Rice on Wednesday. She said that Russia had very well been informed by the U.S.A. on this matter in ten formal meetings since spring 2006.
Steinmeier on Saturday said that his remarks had not been about criticizing this or that partner (Die WELT, “Der Kalte Krieg ist vorbei”, 24. Februar 2007) .
Mmh, applying this logic to my blog, I assure you, it has never been and will never be about criticising this or that German Foreign Minister!