Fischer Reaffirms German Position to the UN

Saying his country was concerned about stability in the region following a possible war against Iraq, Joschka Fischer told the United Nations that Germany continued to reject any military action in the region.

The foreign minister, a member of Germany's Green Party, said Germany greeted American President George W. Bush's speech to the UN on Thursday. Still, he said the lack of proof of an imminent threat from Saddam Hussein and an unclear plan for the region in the event of his removal, left too many questions open.

"As a result of these open questions, we are full of deep skepticism regarding military involvement in Iraq and maintain our position," Fischer told the delegates of the 190-member body on Saturday.

Fischer urged the United States to focus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East. A peaceful solution would do more for stability in the troubled region than any military action against Iraq, said to the sometime middle east peace negotiator.

The foreign minister lay heavy cricisim on the Iraqi regime, calling it "horrible for the Iraqi people and a risk for the entire reigion." Still, Fischer said the return of weapons inspectors was the only way to "avoid a massive tragedy" in the region.

Standing alone amid criticism

Germany stands virtually alone in the European Union with its categorical rejection of military action in Iraq -with or without a United Nations mandate. The EU said this week they support the return of weapons inspectors and clear ultimatums to Hussein and his regime.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been heavily criticized by US officials both in Germany and Washington.

His challenger in this month's federal elections says Schröder's position is nothing more than a blatant attempt to win votes among war-skeptical Germans. Edmund Stoiber, who represents the conservative Christian Social Union and Christian Democratic Union bloc, called Schröder's stance "anti-American."

Analysts say Schröder's position has had the desired effect in poll numbers. Polls on Saturday show Schröder and his Social Democratic Party continuing the remarkable surge that began following floods in eastern Germany and Schröder's Iraq remarks.