Dont forget, Germany dont have the option of another potential buyer for the subs with everything to go. Whereas, Pakistan has the option of another supplier with everything ready to go.
There is always a difference between a company’s interest and a countries interest. In France, the differences are often smaller than in Germany.
Jobs play a role, an important role, but they are not the only argument.
It is the government of Germany's job to enlighten the people of advantages such as economical benefits, (This deal will keep couple of thousand Germans on job for couple of years I believe ?) and etc.
That was exactly my argumentation. To change the public opinion they need the help of the media, but the media are opposing the deal.
The opposition in the parliament is although against this deal (in some cases this might change if they are in power). With the green party, there is a strong force with pacifistic background in the parliament that acts quite rational in the government, but will oppose a deal with Pakistan (and is doing it) in every case. And there might bet he situation that they will be needed to form a government and the Pakistan deal will be sacrified as price for it.
You mean to say that France do not follow the European Moral codex ?because that is one country that has been selling naval equipment to Pakistan for decades.
I would say they are a bit more flexible about rules and laws than German, Dutch or Scandinavian People in general (for example traffic rules) but of course if it is about their national interest.
In Germany there are always two lost World Wars and a Holocaust in mind. People care about what happens with German weapons. Politicians do not do in every case but the media remind them.
The influence of German history on Pakistani defence politics. That’s Globalisation.
Lets see you talk about Germany not exporting weapons to hot spots. They have.
You talk about Germany not exporting weapons to countries who haved commited/accused of human rights violations. They have.
Your agruements just doesn't hold water.
I never said that. And your argument doesn’t hold water, because you will not be able to quote it. In my first posting, few days ago I already said:
The deal would be against the 10 year old moral codex which allows weapon exports only in stabile nations which respect human rights. They sometimes break it (if nobody has a close look on it) but I would not bet on it in this situation.
It was not about that they always followed that rule in the past. But my opinion is that in this case there is a big chance that they will not break the moral code.
Well if its political decision, then i guess the Govt. was behind this deal since the defence minister went lobbing for it.
It needs some background information about party and state level politics to understand why he is defence minister (and sometimes lack support), but OK.
This support for the deal was in the past. Now the elections are coming nearer and they are running out of time. This government will for sure not be the next government (however it will look like). In some way it is going to become a lame duck.
So we have to think about possible developments in the future.
Think about how some US politicians changed their opinion about Iraq during the presidential election campaign and Germany as a parliamentary democracy has no strong man (or woman like a French or US President) and governments are always coalitions of two or more Parties.
But maybe I am talking bullshit. So: Explain me, why should the German government under this conditions give OK to the deal.
What can be the arguments to explain a break of the moral codex to the parliament, to the media and to the public (to the people who will elect very soon).
