The head of Germany's special forces has been sacked...

[MIKE BURN]

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BBC/London, Tuesday, 4 November, 2003, 15:18 GMT



The head of Germany's special forces has been sacked for allegedly backing an MP who is accused of anti-Semitism.

Defence Minister Peter Struck fired Brigadier General Reinhard Guenzel for apparently praising MP Martin Hohmann.



Mr Hohmann has caused a national row with comments comparing the actions of Jews in the 1917 Russian revolution with those of the Nazis.



General Guenzel is said to have written to Mr Hohmann, praising his "courage".





Mr Struck insisted that General Guenzel's views were not widespread in the armed forces.



"This is about a lone, confused general who agreed with an even more confused statement made by a conservative member of parliament," he said.



Perpetrators



Mr Hohmann first sparked a furore when he suggested it might be possible to consider Jews as a "Taetervolk", or race of perpetrators, as Germans are seen, because of Jewish actions during the Bolshevik revolution.



In an interview for ZDF's Frontal 21 programme this weekend Mr Hohmann, an MP for the opposition right-wing Christian Democrats (CDU), read out the letter of support from General Guenzel.



"It was an excellent speech, of a courage truth and clarity which one seldom hears or reads in our country," Mr Hohmann quoted the letter as saying.



"Even though all those who support this view or who articulate it loud and clear are categorised by public opinion as right-wing extremists, you can be sure that you are doubtless speaking for the majority of our nation," he also quoted the general as writing.



The KSK special forces, which General Guenzel headed, are the elite branch of the German military and have recently seen action in Afghanistan.



Investigation



German prosecutors have launched an investigation into Mr Hohmann's speech after a criminal complaint against him was filed.



He has apologised for his comments, saying that neither Germans nor Jews were "Taetervolk".



The CDU has thrown him off two parliamentary commissions - though critics say that this is not punishment enough.

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A public poll of N-TV in Germany resulted in



27% "YES" and 73% "NO"



in answer to the question, if MP Hohmann should be excluded from his political party.



The poll for Günzel is pending and I think, the result will be towards 90% PRO-Günzel. One of the best Anti-Terror-Forces leaders in the world.



I fear we are heading toward tough times (relation Israel/USA) and it's getting worse everyday.

Edited by: MIKE BURN  at: 11/4/03 7:40 pm

[Galmin]

One of the conditions to enter the special forces is impeccable eyesight.







Günzel





Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[MIKE BURN]

Galmin



This is (was) the chief commander.....

...and he belongs to the best strategists.



Just do the summary of the Afghanistan operations of the KSK under his command so far.

[Galmin]

Quote:

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This is (was) the chief commander.....

...and he belongs to the best strategists.

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Yeah. I know.



If I'd take a guess I say Hohmann's staying. In spite the fact that Günzel had to go. Being a General for any outfit in Germany, he should have known better than to cheering along that no-name-in-national-politics-without-the-shadow-of-a-clue politician on this particular topic.



Stupid? Defenitely.

Too harsh to fire him? Nur bedingt.



Our General used to tell us: "Sunglasses are not allowed, squinting is" and found himself the source of an immense sense of humor.

Edited by: Galmin  at: 11/5/03 6:11 pm