German Leader Calls for Caution in Dealing with Iraq

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle television on Thursday, Germany’s Chancellor Schröder cautioned against a U.S. attack on Iraq. Instead of launching military strikes, he called for increasing diplomatic pressure on Saddam Hussein.

"We have to keep up the pressure on him to allow the international weapons inspectors back into the country. But we also need to be decisive and effective, and make sure any offers Iraq makes are serious," Schröder said.

The German leader’s words were intended as a reminder to the U.S. to continue working with the United Nations and to focus on diplomacy rather than military force. Schröder warned that further conflicts in the Middle East would endanger any progress made so far in the war against terrorism.

"We haven’t yet achieved everything we set out to do: to set clear examples in the international community to show that joining the West in the fight against international terrorism is worthwhile, and that it leads in turn to peaceful development. And that’s why I advice against considering any further action."

The full interview will be broadcast in English on DW-TV this Saturday.