With your proposal for an internationally controlled zone in Syria, the Federal defence Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) has surprised even its political Partner. From Turkey, there is criticism.
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AKK security zone in Syria
About Germany’s responsibility in the global security policy is always a fight again. Particularly the United States accuse the Federal Republic of Germany, to sit in the case of international crises only on the spectator stage and not participating enough – for example with military operations. The push by the Federal defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer of the Syria conflict has also triggered therefore, discussions on a future more active role of Germany.
In an Interview with Deutsche Welle, Kramp had said-karrenbauer: “My proposal is that we set up an internationally controlled security zone, with the involvement of Turkey and, with the involvement of Russia.” Germany should, together with France and the UK, and taking into account Russia and Turkey, of this proposal, the Minister said.
“We should consider whether we use supervisor for this process may be a special.” The process could be accompanied by a conference. “I think that would be a strong political and diplomatic response of the Europeans in NATO.” Participation of NATO partner USA mentioned Kramp-Karrenbauer not. German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the thrust of your defence Minister. “The idea of the protection zones set up to be very promising,” she said. The plans should now be in the coalition are discussed.
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SMS to foreign office
With the proposal of the Minister of defence caused a Bang. From the SPD foreign Minister Heiko Maas led the foreign office it was said that there is need for discussion there. The CDU leader had informed the Maas in front of their public Utterances, according to his own statement via SMS.
He was surprised by the move by the Federal defence Minister, said the SPD’s defense expert Fritz Felgentreu, in the Germany radio. The demand for an internationally controlled zone in Northern Syria had not been discussed with his party, said the SPD Chairman of the defence Committee of the Bundestag. As the participation of Germany would look like in practice still needed to be solved, and the rim faithful. He did not know, for example, where the soldiers should for possible use here. The German army was not prepared for it – they currently at their limit.
Allegations of the Opposition
FDP-Chef Christian Lindner assessed the proposal as not sufficiently thought out. It is the impression, “here it comes to profiling the efforts of individual members of the Cabinet, arise.” Obviously, the advance was not matched again within the Federal government completely. In such a sensitive international issue, the expectation would be that
Government to the Public is, “if you even already has a well-established, coordinated internal Position,” said Lindner. In terms of content, he openly showed for the advance, unless it is an international mandate under the umbrella of the United
Nations go.
The Vice-Chairman and disarmament policy spokesperson of the group, Dagdelen, THE LEFT, Sevim, threw Kramp-karrenbauer, a “political spirit journey without the same”. The Secretary of defense wool manage “the breach of international law on the side of Erdogan and to help German soldiers of the troops of the despot to make.” Dagdelen’s party colleague and EU parliamentarians, Özlem Demirel showed against the German wave in surprise, “because the Federal government has not used all the diplomatic resources, has not stopped all arms exports.” Demirel added that German history had not taught, “and that military operations to secure peace in a sustainable way.”
Turkish Opposition at a distance
The Syria proposal Kramp cart Builder, came across in Turkey also bewilderment to rejection. Unal Ceviköz, chief adviser for foreign policy of the largest Turkish opposition party CHP, said the Turkish editorial Department of Deutsche Welle, to respect the territorial integrity of Syria, “therefore we prefer, if Syria accepts the responsibility for his safety yourself. We are in the Region of so little foreign armed stop forces as possible.”
Invasion: Turkish soldiers are back in Northern Syria
The role of Russia took up the theme of the nationalist-conservative IYI-party. The party Executive Board member Aydin Sezgin expressed to the Deutsche Welle understand, that “Germany has made this offer to Turkey. If this Region belongs to the sphere of influence of Russia, how can stop the NATO there?”
Of the prokurdischen HDP, which rejects as the only opposition party in the Turkish Parliament to the Offensive in Northern Syria, coming, by nature, friendly tones. If there are doubts about the practical feasibility of the German proposal. “A security zone will not solve the political problems,” said HDP’s Deputy Garo Paylan. He sees the EU in the duty. But: “Europe is not taking the Initiative when it comes to finding a Syrian solution, because they are afraid of refugees.” Europe needs to provide clearer solution proposals, calls for Paylan.
The opinion of the Turkish government party, the AKP, is not yet known.
Rather, rejection from Russia
In Russia, perhaps the most influential player in the Syria conflict has triggered the Initiative so far, only modest reactions. “It is a new Initiative, there is no clear attitude. You have to look at it,” said the Kremlin press-Secretary Dmitry Peskov.
The foreign policy expert of the Moscow think-tank “of the Russian Council for foreign policy,“ Ruslan Mamedov, spoke to DW after all, of an interesting proposal. However, Mamedov doubt the realization of a security zone. “The official Russian position on this question is: All foreign troops must leave Syria. I don’t think there will be any international security zone under the joint control of the EU countries and Russia.“
Support from his own party
Support in the German domestic has to get the Secretary of defense, as expected, from the top of the Union group. Their foreign policy spokesman, Jürgen Hardt said that the further developments in Syria have a direct impact on the security and stability of Europe. “Just after the United States passed on their formative power in Syria, it is only logical that Europe pays more.” Kramp-Karrenbauer goals with your initiative exactly on this role in Europe. In close cooperation with the European partners, the Initiative would have to be brought in the United Nations on the way.
Hardt stressed that for talks with Russia should be managed, “the responsibility for the thousands suffering in Syria bears”. The foreign policy spokesman of the Union faction, Germany in an active role. When it come to such a protection zone, then this must be enforced. “That means that Germany can not be on the page, but must actively participate.”
“A strong European Initiative”
Such a safety zone, so Kramp cart Builder’s Plan, should have the goal, the since the Turkish Offensive in Northern Syria to a Halt come the fight against the Islamic terrorist resume. “This requires, in my view, a strong European Initiative.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel had already proposed a joint Meeting with France, Britain and Turkey. Kramp-Karrenbauer demanded that the Franco-German defence and security Council should develop, with the involvement of British Details.
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Kramp-Karrenbauer for a security zone in Syria: the Interview in full length
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Kramp-Karrenbauer for a security zone in Syria: the Interview in full length
Parallel to this, the Minister wants to involve both Turkey and Russia in their plans. “Russia is one of the most important actors in Syria”, said Kramp-Karrenbauer. “The can like it or not, but it is a fact and we have to deal with.” She wanted to use Germany’s current seat in the UN security Council for negotiations as well as bilateral talks with both sides. “The Alternative would be, as Europeans, and also as a NATO watch easy, as possible talks between Turkey and Russia continue to run.”
According to the journalist and Syria expert Kristin Helberg is currently a diplomatic window for Russia and Europe could emerge. “Putin can’t stabilize Syria on duration alone, because he has the economic means to do so. He needs the money from the West for the reconstruction,” said Helberg of the DW. “In such an internationally monitored Zone where the two sides could work together for the first time in Syria.”
Bundeswehr participation not excluded
Whether, and how, the soldiers of the German Bundeswehr in the proposed protection zone, The question of how we handle Germany politically, and what this may mean for the German armed forces, is a question which must be decided in the Bundestag did not want to specify the Secretary of defense:”.”
Such a safety zone, so Kramp cart Builder’s Plan, should have the goal, the since the Turkish Offensive in Northern Syria to a Halt come the fight against the Islamic terrorist resume. To do this, it needed to be from their point of view, a strong European Initiative. “The Alternative would be, as Europeans, and also as a NATO watch easy, as possible talks between Turkey and Russia continue to run.”