Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Friday the United States has asked for the release of international oil reserves to help deal with the supply shortage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and that he supports the call for help.
"First of all, the United States has made a request to the International Energy Agency to release parts of the international reserves into the market," Schroeder said in a televised statement. "Certainly, we will support the American request."
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Germany not only has a "historical duty" to help the United States in a time of crisis because of the support it received rebuilding after World War II, but also because of the scope of the damage, Schroeder said.
"Everything that we can mobilize will be mobilized," he said.
Despite all the games Schroeder has played with the US over the last few years, these statements are most welcome at this time, and they demonstrate that Schroeder does have a very clear understanding of history. He knows what the US did for his country after WWII to get it back on its feet. Here's a place where he, on behalf of Germany, can do something to help return the favor when we are desperately in need.
I think it's important, and frankly I'm impressed that Schroeder stepped up and said these things.
Alex Nunez blogs at The Noonz Wire, where this is cross-posted.