"Germany Should Be Seen As a Fair Partner by Both Sides"

Oskar Lafontaine is the parliamentary chairman of Germany's Left Party and also served as the Social Democratic Party chairman and German finance minister.

DW-WORLD.DE: What is the Left Party's position on the current conflict in the Middle East?

Oskar Lafontaine: First, we demand an immediate ceasefire because we need to avoid additional civilians being killed, injured or their health being permanently damaged.

Secondly, we demand all sides involved finally respect international law. The situation in the Middle East is very difficult and accusations of blame are being hurled at each other by both sides, but international law has to provide the basis for peace and all parties involved -- including the USA, Israel and Hezbollah -- must respect international law in the future. That's something that has not happened in the past.

Thirdly, we're in favor of an international peacekeeping force that should be stationed on both sides of the border for the parties involved to consider it as neutral.

Some observers in Germany have complained about the German government's rather passive stance on the conflict. How do you see the government's position?

The German government is naturally trying to contribute towards de-escalating the conflict. But it's always in danger -- and this is our criticism -- of tilting too heavily towards the US stance. It's common knowledge that the USA is not seen as being neutral, at least in the Arab world. So if the German government toes the American line too closely, it will not be able to make a decisive contribution towards improving conditions in the Middle East.

Do you think Germany's current policy is damaging the interests of Germans in the Arab world?

We believe that the priority is to save the lives of the people who have been affected by this war. That's why the question of whether we can protect our economic interests in the region the way we'd like to is secondary. Saving the lives of the people who are dying now and those who are threatened by death as long as the war continues is of prime importance.

I believe that the German position always works well when it's considered by all sides involved to be a fair and neutral partner that tries to build fair and honest relationships. That's why I believe that it is possible in this conflict to maintain good relations with Israel as well as the Arab world -- the prerequisite is that Germany is seen as a fair partner by both sides.

Do you see Germany's history as a burden in the Middle East?

The huge historical guilt that Germany has taken upon itself due to the crimes of the Nazis cannot be erased by not acting in a neutral manner towards the Palestinians and the Arabs. Instead, we're all the more responsible for the fate of the Palestinians because after all the founding of the state of Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians can also be traced back to the crimes of the Nazis.

The German public is increasingly critical of Israel in the light of the suffering of the Lebanese population. German politicians on the other hand are more reserved. Where do you see the limits on Germany's criticism of Israeli policies?

You must have a clear basis when you judge the acts of others. International law is part of the clear fundamental principles that the Left Party represents. Only international law can pave the way towards peace in the Middle East. Nobody can be allowed to abuse international law -- neither Israel nor any of the other parties involved.

What can the German opposition parties do to exert more of an influence on the German government's foreign policy?

Firstly, it's the duty of the German opposition to support the foreign policy of the government in a critical manner because it is about representing the interests of our country. On the other hand, it's also our responsibility to criticize the foreign policy of the German government where it's wrongly used. That's why I said that the German government shouldn't get entangled too deeply in the Bush administration's workings when it comes to its political efforts. After all, the Bush administration has largely squandered its goodwill and reputation in the Middle East and the Arab world.