“Media is very strong effect on the psyche of German politicians”
Date of publication: 07 October 2016, 19:15
Bundestag deputies – the party of Angela Merkel – got thrown in The Wall Street Journal theme introduction, “Syrian” sanctions against Russia. However, Berlin is in no hurry to come up with such initiative. Weighty I vote in favor of imposing new sanctions and whether the Pro-American lobby to overcome the skepticism of the foreign Minister of Germany Steinmeier?
In the Parliament of Germany and of the German delegation to the European Parliament stated the necessity of sanctions against Russia over Syria.
Thus, the head of the international Affairs Committee of the European Parliament Elmar Brok has laid on Russia responsible for the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo and called for tougher sanctions against Moscow. “We need to increase pressure on Russia through economic sanctions,” he said in an interview with ARD on Friday, October 7.
Brock called for the introduction in the first place technological sanctions that will hamper the development of new types of weapons. “We already did that during the cold war,” he recalled.
A politician from the party of Angela Merkel acknowledged that to help the people of Aleppo can only ground troops. However, he rhetorically exclaimed: “Who in Germany would be willing to send the Bundeswehr to Syria!” Alternatively, Brock has proposed to equip certain rebel groups with anti-aircraft missiles.
“The lack of response and sanctions in response to severe war crimes would be a scandal,” in turn, said the Chairman of the Bundestag Committee on foreign Affairs Norbert röttgen (a member of the same party of Merkel’s Christian democratic Union).
He stressed that Russia considers “undoubtedly guilty” of “serious war crimes”, quoted the policy of the Suddeutsche Zeitung.
According to him, “economic sanctions against Moscow will not work right away,” but in the long run they will affect the policy of Russia, the politician is sure. In conclusion, he criticized other European countries that “do not call a spade a spade” and do not take the necessary actions against Russia, as “afraid to take this step”.
We will remind, on Thursday The Wall Street Journal, citing a source familiar with the situation, spread allegations that the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel “is exploring options that would force Moscow to change course in Syria.” One of these tools is “the introduction of new EU economic sanctions against Russia.”
However, the official sources have not confirmed the “learning opportunities”. Experts, commenting on the newspaper VIEW, the publication of the WSJ to discuss “Syrian” sanctions in the government, calling it a propaganda surge.
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday: no official statements about the possible introduction of new sanctions against Russia from the European countries because of the situation in Syria is not voiced, so long as the Kremlin sees no cause for consideration and for response. “It is clear that the topic is debatable to the plane of the Europeans”, – quoted Peskov RIA Novosti.
Unknown anti-Russian forces in Germany
After The Wall Street Journal published information that the German government wants to impose sanctions against Russia, the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Germany rejected it, has indicated in conversation with the newspaper VIEW, the German scientist, scientific Director of the German-Russian forum Alexander Rahr.
Indeed, earlier the German foreign Minister, representative of the Social democratic party (SPD) Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he did not support the idea of introduction of new sanctions against Russia. In his opinion, these measures will not change Russian policy towards Syria.
Earlier official representative of the German foreign Ministry Martin Schaefer said that the proposals on sanctions against Russia over Syria at the present time are not discussed. “I don’t know anyone in Berlin or elsewhere, who would make such a proposal,” he explained.
If Röttgen said, “so there are forces unknown in Germany, which is purely a critical position towards Russia,” said Alexander Rahr.
He noted that the position Röttgen against Russia is known to all, it is very critical. “It refers to those forces within the Christian democratic Union (CDU, the party of Angela Merkel, part of the CDU-CSU, included in the ruling coalition together with the SPD – approx. OPINION), which would create a coalition with the social Democrats and “green”. Röttgen has positioned itself as a defender of human rights, liberal values,” – said Rahr. “However, he is a member of the ruling party, but not a member of the government”, – stated the interlocutor.
In his opinion, the application of sanctions is “nothing more than opinion, however, a very influential German Deputy who (in this case) is not in the same group of people who make political decisions in government.”
However, between the publication of The WSJ and a statement Röttgen “have a connection”. “In some circles in Germany, but not official, not governmental, such options are discussed. But it’s not Merkel and Steinmeier”, – said the expert.
The Christian-democratic party today is split into two parts: some want to take a less tough stance towards Russia, others have very rigid views – “they halirous now with the “green party”. “The green party” all in hysterics about everything that concerns Russian policy”, – said the Agency interlocutor.
One cannot ignore the US pressure
Rahr noted that all opinions, statements in Germany eat so that serves the media. “As soon as all German channels in the first five minutes of news programs show the destroyed Aleppo or bombing Assad or Russian aircraft with appropriate review of Western experts, created a climate that is difficult then to fix it. Superimposed on all this anti-Russian rhetoric. On the strategy in Syria has not said, only show pictures of people dying, of children behind bars – it is very strong effect on the psyche of the local voters, citizens and politicians,” – said the analyst.
On the question of whether the idea of new sanctions to be put forward in the Bundestag, the source said, the developments over the coming days and weeks, “nothing can be excluded”.
“On the other hand, the process of introduction of new sanctions is rather complex. This is done at the level of the EU Council, have to accept all EU countries, not some bureaucracy,” – said interlocutor reminded that five EU countries have declared that it is necessary to cancel sanctions against Russia.
“So I don’t know if there is a consensus,” – said Rahr. However, it is impossible not to take into account “the pressure of America.” “If America is now itself will impose sanctions against Russia because of Syria, the Europeans can follow. But so far everything is under speculation,” the expert concluded.
The minority against the majority
The German political scientist, expert of the Berlin Friedrich Naumann Foundation Sasha Tamm in an interview with the newspaper OPINION said that speaker for the anti-Russian sanctions “Röttgen and others of his party is a minority in the party and in Germany.” The expert also believes that no significant figure in German politics – neither Merkel nor Steinmeier will not do it.
“I don’t think there is such an initiative in the Bundestag, because it is already in the group of the Christian Democrats is not the position of the majority,” said the analyst. He noted that the issue of sanctions can only be resolved in the EU. To Germany as the only country in Europe imposed additional sanctions, this will not happen, the expert believes.
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