From: UPS500@rhrz.uni-bonn.de
Subject: Re: American Press is anti-German!
Organization: RHRZ Uni-Bonn
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 00:32:51 GMT

In article <Bz50LJ.DKH@unix.amherst.edu>
djweisbe@unix.amherst.edu (David Weisberger) writes:
 
>
>UPS500@rhrz.uni-bonn.de wrote:
>: In article <1992Dec7.163742.19457@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>
>: J.Theodore.Schuerzinger@dartmouth.edu (J. Theodore Schuerzinger) took
>time off from more trivial things to write:
>:
>: >
>: >On the AP wire this morning, I noticed a story mentioning that German
>: >leaders were proposing a tightening of the country's asylum laws IN
>: >RESPONSE TO ANTI-FOREIGNER DEMONSTRATIONS.
>[...]
>: >It seems like AP doesn't like to say good things about Germany,
>: >e.g. that it has one of Europe's most liberal asylum policies.
>
>The disappointing truth is that the German government reaction has
>mostly been limited to discussions about regulating asylum.  The
>reaction (way back) to Hoyerswerda was to promise to keep foreigners
>out of there.  Now, I believe that Germany should cut back the number
>of immigrants it accepts, but there must also be action against
>xenophobic violence. No matter what the government's intentions, the
>press and neo-Nazis alike will see a change in asylum regulations alone
>as capitulation to the radical right.
>
>: The fact is that it is not at all helpful to those trying to do their best
>: to keep radicalism small in Germany, if it gets so much focus by the world
>: press. I don't mean to close my eyes on anything, but sometimes I wonder
>: if press coverage couldn't be as decisive in proportion (!) concerning the
>: Serbia-Hercegovina-war. Let's make a point: This is GENOCIDE there,
>
>The inaction on S-H is horrible, but I do not find the coverage of Germany
>and ex-Yugoslavia disproportionate.  The future of Germany is much
>more significant for the continent and world as a whole.
>
>:                 Sometimes I wonder whether people don't see the real dangers
>: of a new world war evolving from the southeast.
>
>Though I have often heard the analogy to the pre-WWI state of affairs,
>I believe European is different now - Western Europe and Russia are no
>longer entangled in alliances with each other and the Balkans.  How
>would war in ex-Yugoslavia spread?  (Real question, not rhetorical.)
>
>: I - as a German - am proud of Munich's crowds against radicalism, and I
>: feel no reason to be ashamed, after all, it's something I am proud of...
>: just as US-citizens do love their country-with all its mistakes.
>
>I am proud of the US, but still ashamed of its worst faults.  You can
>be both.
>
>--
>Davebo                    "Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard.
>                           I just read the Daily News and swear by every word."
>djweisbe@unix.amherst.edu
 
Thanks for your article, which is a very good (because differenciated)
consideration and exception to the rule.
 
The thing with Serbia and WW-I-scenarios is that, as a matter of fact,
A. Kosyrew - Russia's foreign minister - has held a speech to the Stockholm
CSCE-assembly in which he outlined the consequences of a reactionary Russia
supporting Serbia's militarists. He deeply confused the conference by doing so,
but at the same time gave clear evidence of how (if latently) dangerous the
situation really is.
It is true that the developments in Germany are most important to Europe's
future, but the danger from here is not imminent, whereas the Balcan
situation really threatens to get out of hand.
You make an important point in saying that changing asylum laws in Germany
must seem like a retarded victory to the radicals, and I deplore it.
Seeing that 70% of all people seeking asylum in Europe do so in Germany
showed a necessity for acting, but lukewarm reaction to violence on one
hand and the fatal impression this gives... that's another cup of tea, and
you are right in saying this.
It seems that what can help now is a steady continuation of actions
like many anti-xenofobic non-governmental initiatives, such as AKTION
COURAGE.
The fire of radicalism must be berived of all its oxygene, we must
not stop half way.
 
Please do speak out against the war in Bosnia. It is not to conceal anything
 in Germany, but beleive it, it IS the single most dangerous thing
the world does experience since World War 2. This is becaus it sets an
example to anyone that crime a la Serbia pays, and that's the same message
they gave to Hitler at the 1938-Munich-Conference.
 
Markus