German President Koehler quits

[yvi]

German President Koehler quits amid row over military

German President Horst Koehler says he is resigning immediately, following criticism of remarks he made about German military deployments abroad.

Mr Koehler, whose job is largely ceremonial, had linked missions such as the Afghanistan deployment with the defence of economic interests.

His remarks drew criticism from a number of German politicians.

from BBC News

Germany's head of state just resigned

[acari]

So our head of state, Bundespräsident Horst Köhler, just resigned. His role is mostly ceremonial, though. The political power has the chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Mr. Köhler, who was less than a year into his second term as president, shocked Germans earlier this month when he said that the country’s soldiers serving in Afghanistan or other peacekeeping missions were deployed to protect German economic interests.

“A country of our size, with its focus on exports and thus reliance on foreign trade, must be aware that military deployments are necessary in an emergency to protect our interests, for example, when it comes to trade routes, for example, when it comes to preventing regional instabilities that could negatively influence our trade, jobs and incomes,” Mr. Köhler said. [NY Times]

He later said he meant the protection of shipping routes along the Gulf of Aden against piracy, for example, and not any reference to Germany's role in Afghanistan. But his comments came in for widespread criticism.

Koehler said the criticism showed a lack of respect for the president's office. [CNN]

To be honest, this is ridiculous. I can hardly believe it isn't some elaborate hoax.

(no subject)

[la_vie_noire]

Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet

Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country's siege on Gaza.

At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, Israeli radio reported.

The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.

Avital Leibovich, an Israeli military spokeswoman, confirmed that the attack took place in international waters, saying: "This happened in waters outside of Israeli territory, but we have the right to defend ourselves."

Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.

The Israeli military said four soldiers had been wounded and claimed troops opened fire after "demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs".

Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the convoy.

Our correspondent said that a white surrender flag was raised from the ship and there was no live fire coming from the passengers.

Before losing communication with our correspondent, a voice in Hebrew was clearly heard saying: "Everyone shut up".

Al Jazeera Live Coverage.

ETA: the_future_modernes just shared some more links at the comments:

Why Did Israel Attack the Gaza Flotilla?

According to the Israeli human rights group Gisha.org, items barred from Gaza by the blockade include:

“sage, cardamom, cumin, coriander, ginger, jam, halva, vinegar, nutmeg, chocolate, fruit preserves, seeds and nuts, biscuits and sweets, potato chips, gas for soft drinks, dried fruit, fresh meat, plaster, tar, wood for construction, cement, iron, glucose, industrial salt, plastic/glass/metal containers, industrial margarine, tarpaulin, sheets for huts, fabric (for clothing), flavor and smell enhancers, fishing rods, various fishing nets, buoys, ropes for fishing, nylon nets for greenhouses, hatcheries and spare parts for hatcheries, spare parts for tractors, dairies for cowsheds, irrigation pipe systems, ropes to tie greenhouses planters for saplings, heaters for chicken farms, musical instruments, size A4 paper, writing implements, notebooks, newspapers, toys, razors, sewing machines and spare parts, heaters, horses, donkeys, goats, cattle, and chicks”

Fucking shit.

Blockading Gaza is clear violation of Geneva conventions

And, borrowing the_future_modernes words: Turkey is so pissed it will be sending in more supply ships, escorted by their navy.

MENA: Rage after Israel Attacks Gaza-bound Flotilla .

On background:

Difficult Times Call for Dangerous Jobs.

And Not a Drop to Drink for Palestinians.

And an analysis on what could happen: Killings Could Boomerang on Israel.

If the purpose of the activists is indeed to further international demands for an end to Israel's siege policy on Gaza, that may be the actual outcome of the bloody confrontation aboard the Marmara.

But, should they seek to exploit the Israeli sea assault as a way of undermining Israel's legitimacy, and shift the focus away from the illegitimacy of the continued occupation of the Palestinians, that could backfire.

A new wave of bloody conflict between Israelis and Palestinians may then, regrettably, be the only tangible result.