Speech by Chancellor Schröder after the beginning of the war in Iraq
3/21/2003

My fellow citizens,
we tried to prevent war. Right up to the last minute.

I am certain there would have been a different way to disarm the dictator, the United Nations way. I am touched by the fact that a large majority of our people share this view with me, along with a majority of the countries on the Security Council and the nations of the world. A wrong decision was made. The logic of war won out over the logic of peace. Thousands of people will be subjected to horrible suffering as a result of this.

But this is not the moment to be apportioning blame and listing failures. What we can do now must be directed to the future: The war has started. It needs to be ended as soon as possible. Bombs are falling. Hopefully it will be possible to keep civilian casualties to a minimum.

Our position remains: Germany will not be involved in this war. But it goes without saying that Germany will not stand on the sidelines when it comes to helping the people of Iraq. We are willing to provide humanitarian assistance in the UN framework. We are willing to help refugees - with food, medicine and clothing. We are willing to provide medical treatment to wounded soldiers. And of course we continue to be willing under UN leadership to do everything we can to contribute towards a political system after the war that will hopefully be a peaceful system for Iraq and for the entire region.

I said that a wrong decision was made. This is our conviction and is something that ought to be clearly stated. We share this conviction with President Chirac, with President Putin and with many others who bear significant political responsibility in the world. The differences that exist over a war are clear differences of opinion between governments, not fundamental differences between nations with traditions of friendship. The substance of our relations with the United States of America is not threatened.

The nations of the world want peace. They want the rule of law, which is the basis of every freedom. We are working for this. I have given my assurance that Germany will not be involved in the war in Iraq. But Germany will fulfill its obligations in the framework of the NATO alliance.

My fellow citizens, many of you who are older than I am know what war means. You have experienced it, indeed you have survived it. Since then peace has prevailed in our country. And domestic security. This security is not under threat. But no one can rule out terrorist attacks anywhere in the world, including in our country. For this reason police and security forces everywhere in Europe are called upon to be highly vigilant. In Germany there is no reason for panic or particular concern. I can assure you that federal and state authorities are doing everything they can to guarantee maximum security. You can rely on that.

Together with you I hope that the war in Iraq will end quickly. I hope so for the sake of the people concerned, regardless of whether they are civilians or soldiers. And I hope so since the world needs to find its way back to the path of peace as soon as possible and to focus on a common future.

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