The US is not only withdrawing it's troops from Germany in an attempt to 'punish' but also ending industrial co-operation with them using Pentagon sanctions. It's an attempt to make other countries think twice about standing up to the US.

Rumsfield has been furious at Schr�der's 'treachery and ineptitude' regarding the leaked Franco-German plan to flood Iraq with weapons inspectors in an attempt to avoid war. A source said the US is attempting to 'harm the German economy.'

The Pentagon plan has horrified State Department officials who believe this 'bullying' will simply further alienate the US and exacerbate anti-Americanism. German industry earns billions of euros a year by supporting US military.


http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,896573,00.html