POLITICAL DOUBLE SPEAK

The UN Security council passed Resolution 1973 (2011) in which it, among others, declared the air space over Libya a "no fly zone". It also gave its members the authority to enforce such a zone by taking "all necessary measures".. Germany "abstained" from a vote on this resolution.
Germany also decided not to participate in the enforcement of this resolution, but left it in the hands of France and Great Britain. The largest part of this effort was carried (what else is new) by the United States of America and their Stealth Airplanes. The U.S.A left the official command over the air strikes in the hands of France and Great Britain.
Germany of a sudden finds itself as "the odd man out" in the effort to remove from power one of the most brutal dictators in recent history. In order to somewhat mitigate this loss of face, the German Foreign Minister states that it was correct not to participate in the air attacks against Gaddafi's Libya, but rather to participate in specific sanctions against Libya. ( He did not enumerate the nature of these "specific sanctions".)
Further, Germany offered a credit of 100 Million Euros for the new rebel government.
The epitomy of political double speak, however, was uttered by the German Chancellor, Mrs. Merkel:
"All of us share the aims of resolution 1973, irrespective of our abstaining from or agreement to this resolution."
In other words: "Don't judge us by what we actually do, but judge us by the Double Speak we utter."

Hey, please introduce me to an honest politician...
Bertstravels