If there were any remaining doubts that Joschka Fischer was involved in the logistical support provided by the German Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst - BND) to the US military planners of the Iraq invasion they were dispelled by today's new front page article in the New York Times, Berlin File Says Germany's Spies Aided U.S. in Iraq. Now the NYTImes reporters Richard Berstein and Mike Gordon were given access to the classified report prepared by a committee of the German Parliament that held closed-door hearings on the role of German intelligence during the Iraq war over the past few weeks. Joschka Fischer, along with the former Chief of Staff and current foreign minster Frank-Walter Steinmeier were deeply involved in all aspects of the intelligence exchange with the US:
"The report makes it clear that the intelligence-sharing arrangement was approved in late 2002 by both Mr. Steinmeier, Mr. Schröder's aide, and Mr. Fischer. Details, including the placement of a German intelligence officer in General Franks's headquarters, were discussed in Berlin in late 2002 and early 2003, months before the war began. In January 2003, American officials from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency were brought into the planning. "
"The report says that 25 reports were actually provided to the Central Command. Of these, eight described the mood and provisioning of the population in Baghdad, while eight others described the nature of the military and police presence there. Two reports provided the coordinates of the locations of military forces. As part of their activities, the agents also provided coordinates after an air attack on the assumed whereabouts of Mr. Hussein. But the report asserts that the agents did not facilitate American airstrikes."
Last week Joschka Fischer was spotted in Washington DC where he spoke at forum sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I love America", Fischer told the audience. We now know how true those words are.
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