Dr. Angela Merkel, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Germany’s opposition party, discussed the future of Germany and Europe, and criticized Chancellor Gerhard Schr?der’s anti-war stance in a speech Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking in Copley Formal Lounge, Merkel criticized the German adoption of “Sonderweg,” the anti-war approach of Schr?der’s government, which has considerably strained U.S.-German relations. Merkel argued that force should be used only when all other options fail, but that force as an option should not be prematurely discounted. She cited German history as an example of why force must remain an option.
Merkel called democracy building and military capabilities the two equallyimportant pillars that should underlie American and European foreign policies.
Merkel stated that democratic nations should rediscover their common roots, which she identified as freedom, democracy and a commitment to the United Nations. Security issues must be addressed cooperatively, she claimed, as “when one member is threatened, all must take action.”
“Europeans must work for more military capabilities. Military budgets should be increased to meet new threats. We need to go towards multilateralism. No matter how strong any nation may be, it can not solve all problems alone,” she said.
Merkel’s visit to Georgetown was part of a trip that included meetings with top U.S. government officials such as Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Senator John McCain.
Merkel has been outspoken in her criticism of the dominant coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD) and Germany’s Green Party. Taking her criticism to a level that has alarmed and angered many Germans, Merkel took an opportunity to publicly criticize her nation’s government in a weekend op-ed in The Washington Post on Feb. 20. Customarily, opposition leaders traditionally do not criticize their government’s policies abroad.
Merkel’s visit to the United States has stirred up controversy on both sides of the Atlantic. Her visit to Georgetown drew a small demonstration around Healy Gates, where a group of activists protested the plans for war in Iraq while toting “LaRouche for President” banners.
Matt Meehaw (CAS ‘05), came out to protest the demonstrators. Draping himself in an American flag, Meehaw held signs stating “LaRouche: Idealist and Coward,” “9/11” and “Go USA.”
