We must avoid new Cold War: German government's Russia expert

[webfact]

We must avoid new Cold War: German government's Russia expert

 

German deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler gestures during an interview with Reuters in Berlin May 31, 2006. REUTERS/Alexandra Beckstein/Files

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany wants to keep up a dialogue with Moscow despite joining Western expulsions of Russian diplomats and must avoid a new Cold War, the German government's coordinator for Russia said in a newspaper interview.

 

Gernot Erler told the Passauer Neue Presse that Berlin's decision to send four diplomats back to Russia was a sign of solidarity with Britain after a nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England.

 

But despite Berlin's firm position with Moscow, channels of communication will remain open, Erler said in comments released on Wednesday.

 

"We have a clear and unshakeable position, but we want to stay in dialogue with Moscow," said Erler, a member of the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD). "We must do everything possible to prevent a new Cold War with Russia!"

 

European Union member Ireland as well as Moldova on Tuesday joined the list of countries expelling Russian diplomats over the attack on Skripal, a former double agent. The list includes 22 EU states; Britain led the way by kicking out 23 diplomats.

 

There has been broad consensus among German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the SPD, her junior coalition partners, on standing with Britain in taking a tough stance towards Moscow over the Skripal case.

 

Merkel has repeatedly called on Russia to cooperate in the investigation. Russia has denied any responsibility for the poisoning of Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia with a nerve toxin in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

 

The opposition far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) rebuked Merkel's government on Tuesday for joining the Western expulsions of Russian diplomats after the attack on Skripal, arguing that this harmed Germany.

 

The AfD campaigned to end sanctions on Russia imposed by Germany and other Western countries over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis, and says it wants to improve relations with Russia.

 

"Despite economic interests in an end to the Russia sanctions, politics must take precedence," Erler said.

 

(Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-28

[zydeco]

Germany acting like the China of Europe.

[Topdoc]

"I will say it again: Anybody who tells you this nerve agent must have come from Russia is a liar--a complete and utter liar. They are simple compounds"

Dave Collum (Professor of Organic Chemistry at Cornell University)

https://twitter.com/DavidBCollum

[Guest]

Nobody in the west wants cold or scorching hot war with Russia. We just wish that Russia would start to behave like an adult country among others. The school bully type of behaviour simply must stop on and against other countries. 

 

If Russia wishes to isolate itself, that's just fine. I hope it didn't, but it's the will of their people and their leader.

 

Europe should start spending serious money to invest in nuclear and renewable power productions. It's quite important for national security that we are not dependent of the gas and oil from Russia as they can stop the gas flow if they wish.

 

[Guest]

The latest poisoning is just one small detail in the larger chain of events.

 

If Russia doesn't want to play by the rules, which other countries are agreeing, they can be left alone. Hoping the best for the Russian people.

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, Topdoc said:

"I will say it again: Anybody who tells you this nerve agent must have come from Russia is a liar--a complete and utter liar. They are simple compounds"

Dave Collum (Professor of Organic Chemistry at Cornell University)

https://twitter.com/DavidBCollum

The sort of signature identified by Dstl Porton Down knocks this into a cocked hat.

Edited March 28, 2018 by evadgib

[Topdoc]

During the Cold War, the British Government used the general public as unwitting biological and chemical warfare guinea pigs on a much greater scale than previously thought, according to new historical research.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/how-the-british-government-subjected-thousands-of-people-to-chemical-and-biological-warfare-trials-10376411.html

 

 

 

[sawadee1947]

2 hours ago, zydeco said:

Germany acting like the China of Europe.

what does that mean? Explain!

[sawadee1947]

He is absolutely right. If you will not meet for talks you will not change anything.

[Srikcir]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

"We must do everything possible to prevent a new Cold War with Russia!"

Then how about Russia take the first step of a war it began under Putin's leadership.

 

[Scott]

Post and reply removed.  

[StraightTalk]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Merkel has repeatedly called on Russia to cooperate in the investigation.

Russia has repeatedly called on Britain to provide evidence which is in line following the rule of presumption of innocence.

Mrs. Merkel seems to have forgotten the egregious lies of Bush, Powell, Bolton etc. which led to a war of choice with Iraq - that destabilized the entire Middle East. She also must have suffered from a memory loss about the US spies in Germany and scandalous phone tapping. How else can one conclude the poor decision for backing UK on spy death. I wonder how many times Brexit (and perhaps Crimean annexation) was mentioned when May asked for solidarity.

 

[Expatthailover]

Always find the most fervent sabre rattlers and warmongers are those that actively avoided and never served in the nations military.

Dirty don and dear john are the epitome of such lowlifes.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Expatthailover said:

Always find the most fervent sabre rattlers and warmongers are those that actively avoided and never served in the nations military.

Dirty don and dear john are the epitome of such lowlifes.

 

A fair point, but then kicking out Russian spies diplomats is neither warmongering nor saber-rattling. 

[The Theory]

Avoid what we are already in ?!!! ?