Should Steinmeier Resign if He Hindered Kurnaz' Release? | Services from Deutsche Welle | DW | 26.01.2007
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Should Steinmeier Resign if He Hindered Kurnaz' Release?

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been accused of denying Bremen-born Guantanamo prisoner Murat Kurnaz entry into Germany after the US offered to release him. See what readers had to say.

Foreign Minister Steinmeier said he was not aware of an offer to release Kurnaz

Foreign Minister Steinmeier said he was not aware of an offer to release Kurnaz

The following comments reflect the views of our readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

If Steinmeier did in fact encouraged the detention of Kurnaz in Guantanamo, in spite of the latter's innocence, then one should punish responsible people for these extra-judiciary state crimes. The problem today is that too many states are committing extra-judiciary crimes against suspected "terrorists" with abductions, torture and even murders. If the German state can ignore the due judicial process and punish innocent citizens in places such as Guantanamo, it is a question if the state is any better in handling these situations than autocratic states. No one is above the law, (neither) individuals nor the executive state powers. -- Atilla A. Iftikhar

Steinmeier was either incompetent or used illegal Gestapo tactics, breaking the oath of his office and the trust of the German people. -- G. Gosau, Canada

Deutschland Bundestag Untersuchungsausschuß Murat Kurnaz

Kurnaz was released from Guantanamo in August 2006

I think that if Steinmeier did the things he is accused of, he did the right thing. If it is a crime in Germany for a German government official to look out for the best interests of his people by not having concern for Kurnaz's well-being, then Steinmeier is guilty as charged. Your article fails to mention that Kurnaz attended a madrassa in Pakistan that advocates the terror activities of such groups as al Qaeda and encourages its graduates to join them. Kurnaz is an enemy combatant. The idea that a prisoner-of-war requires a hearing for his imprisonment is absurd. By the way, the alleged torture at Guantanamo never happened. -- Martin Peterson, Texas, US

Steinmeier should be picked up from his plush office in shackles, taken to Afghanistan to be tortured by German and American soldiers, then thrown into Guantanamo to suffer exactly what Kurnaz suffered. Arrogant bureaucratic pig. -- Diet Simon

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  • Date 26.01.2007
  • Author Compiled by DW staff (kjb)
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  • Date 26.01.2007
  • Author Compiled by DW staff (kjb)
  • Print Print this page
  • Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/9lWj
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