SELF IMPROVEMENT

At the armored business are the ghosts

By Claudia Leppingund Michael Fischer in Berlin. Germany is supposed to deliver just battle tanks to Saudi Arabia - the CDU and FDP politicians down the search unsettling news, but where Riyadh military sent to Bahrain to put the citizen protest. The opposition calls for a Round-Up: a reform of licensing procedures for arms exports.

On the day after, the responsible members of the Federal Security wrap on her controversial vote in silence. Economy Minister Philipp Rösler (FDP) said: "The decisions of the Federal Security Council shall be secret." CDU Secretary General Hermann Gröhe while not sitting in that day ends as secret secret committee be adopted, but the position must represent the Union externally, winds: "That would not comment on myself."

The outrage is quiet rail breaks. A possible delivery of advanced Leopard II tanks of the type violated the Arms Export Regulations of the Federal Republic, that no weapons of war must be delivered in crisis regions, it is bipartisan. Also in the group meeting of the CDU / CSU is running high, because the union members had voted against the deal with Riyadh.

Today, the opposition Demanded a topical debate in the Bundestag, to put the question of the morality of government actions. The SPD had recently sought to address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, with arms export inquiries. In addition, the report should not export arms only once a year, but will be published at shorter intervals. The Greens are demanding that Parliament be involved in the approval process.

But it wants to Group Managing Director Peter Altmaier Union (CDU) is not negotiable. Without wanting to confirm the trade, he says: "The decision at issue may be, one that is not made by Parliament." So for the CSU party boss Gerda Hasselfeldt is the theme of "a classic decision of government action." Only Erika Steinbach (CDU), the human rights policy officer of the group asked, "So you have to look very closely."

Report: Government Obtained approval vonIsrael and the U.S.

According to a report in the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" (today), grabbing the federal government for the controversial business, the consent of Israel and the United States. Both countries are faced with the decision of the Federal Security Council on 27 June has been informed and had not expressed any concerns, the newspaper reported, citing government sources.

Again and again, the debate revolves yesterday to the question Whether the authoritarian ruled Saudi Arabia has just now moved up to such an important strategic partner for Germany - Berlin if, then, should deliver tanks at a time, the regime in Riyadh Which militarily against The democracy movement its Neighboring countries is going on. The Deutsch foreign minister tries balancing act: Guido Westerwelle (FDP) praised the movement for democracy in the Arab countries, but defended Saudi Arabia, "because we are looking for partnership but also to such countries and expand, have in judicial or civil society have different views on us. "

Another Liberal brings the debate in the FDP to the point: "We are like so many times over the economic and foreign policy, the economists argue If Germany, the tank does not deliver to the Saudis, it provides France or Great Britain or America. ".