German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Thursday a peaceful resolution for the Iraqi crisis was still possible and that he would fight for it alongside France, Russia and other states.
"We are...fulfilling our duties for peace and the peaceful disarmament of Iraq," Schroeder told the Bundestag lower house of parliament. "Together with France, Russia and other partners the government is doing all it can for a peaceful resolution. That is possible and we are fighting for that."
Schroeder has ruled out voting in favor of war on Iraq in the U.N. Security Council. He has rejected criticism from opposition leaders in Germany that he is isolating Germany and ruining relations with the United States.
He said there was no question that Iraq was ruled by a dictator whom everyone would like to get rid of. However, he said it was clear that Baghdad had no nuclear weapons and no long-range missiles.
The German leader said Iraq might be in a position to manufacture other weapons of mass destruction, and that was why the inspectors must be allowed to continue their work there. (Albawaba.com)
