http://www.expatica.com/source/site...=Germany+may+need+own+nuclear+weapons:+Scholz Germany may need own nuclear weapons: Scholz BERLIN - Germany may need to build its own nuclear weapons to counter the threat of nuclear bombs falling into the hands of a terrorist state, a former German defence minister said Thursday. "We need a serious discussion over how we can react to a nuclear threat by a terrorist state in an appropriate manner - and in extreme cases with our own nuclear weapons," said Rupert Scholz who served as defence minister from 1988 to 1989. Germany does not have nuclear weapons and Scholz admitted in a Bild newspaper interview that his remarks were breaking what is widely seen as a national taboo. Scholz - who is a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - said Berlin should first try to get binding guarantees from the NATO alliance that it would protect Germany in case nuclear threats were directed at the country. But he insisted if such guarantees were not spelled out in a formal NATO doctrine, then Germany needed to ponder building its own nuclear deterrence system. Such a move would clearly violate the 2+4 Treaty which paved the way for Germany's 1990 reunification by formally ending post-World War II occupation rights in the country for the US, the former USSR, Britain and France. Under article three of the Treaty, Germany renounces "the manufacture and possession of and control over nuclear, biological and chemical weapons." Rainer Stinner, a member of the opposition Free Democrats (FDP) in parliament, sharply criticized calls for German nuclear weapons. "If we start questioning international treaties, what right do we have to demand that others adhere to them?" said Stinner, adding, "Germany's security would be reduced - not increased - through the possession of nuclear weapons." Last week French President Jacques Chirac warned that France could use nuclear arms against state sponsors of terrorism against his country. Chirac did not name any country but was widely seen to have been referring to Iran which is suspected of seeking to build nuclear weapons - an allegation strongly denied by Tehran. - DPA
You know, in an ironic way, nuclear weapons might be the best way to prevent conflicts. It has worked pretty well in the past. I think there is something to be said for the "balance of terror", it seems like fear of annihilation is the best way for countries to avoid going to war with one another.
This assumes that people are all rational and reasonable. This is not always the case. For instance, people have spoken about the tendancy of some religious fanatics to hasten the "judgement day" or whatever. There's also This bit about how the Soviets planed for a nuclear war which they thought was winable. 1000 years of wise leaders can be totaly negated in five minutes by one moron who destroys the world for poor reasons.[/url] You may be right and it might be the best thing in the long run, but it seems to me to be like going to Vegas an putting all of your money down one bet. Just as according to Mencken, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.", "Nobody has ever gone broke underestimating the ability of leaders to act with reason and forethought."
This assumes that people are all rational and reasonable. This is not always the case. For instance, people have spoken about the tendancy of some religious fanatics to hasten the "judgement day" or whatever. Some of Bush's wacko Christian followers might be tempted to try to hasten Armageddon, in which they believe they will be raptured. There may be Muslims who think like this, too. This is one of the reasons why we should reverse Bush policies and try to stop pushing the "nukes for just us and our buds" policy and their talk about nuking Iran. Though it is useful to militarists and the current electoral fortune of the GOP, I think it is not valid to always presume that Iranians and Arabs are totally deranged and just chomping on the bit to get a few nukes, set them off to kill ciivilized Israelis and Americans and then await to be 100% anninhilated.
If Germany ever developed and deployed nukes on their own I predict it would shatter NATO and the EU. I can't see many other European countries feeling comfortable about Germany on their own becoming a nuclear power.
Agreed, especially given the history of German militarism and aggression...but my German friend tells me that Germans have been tamed and are as harmless as the French
Why do you presume that I was speaking about Arabs? There is no mention of Arabs anywhere in my statements.
