1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Reader response

As the political fallout from a controversial airstrike in September continues to make waves for new Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, our readers weigh in on the issue, as well as on others.

Karl Thesodor zu Guttenberg's head is superimposed between the flag of NATO and Afghanistan
The airstrike has been the biggest issue for new Defense Minister zu GuttenbergImage: AP Graphics/DW

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

Defense minister denies new accusations linked to Afghan airstrike

The critics of the action taken should be moved to Afghanistan for a couple of months to get a taste of what war is like. If in effect civilians were killed in the airstrike, they should have stayed clear of the tanks. I wonder what the reaction would have been had Colonel Klein not ordered the airstrikes but had the tanks attacked the German base? Colonel Klein should have acted earlier to order the strikes; it may have prevented "civilians" getting killed. -- Fred Sroka, Canada

Would it have been better to let the Taliban get hold of all that fuel? This is war - what do people expect? Would Churchill or Eisenhower have done anything different had they known about every casualty - I don't think so. Let this unfortunate incident die a natural death and stop the prosecutions. -- Margaret W. Kennedy, US

Nazi war-crime suspect probed for fatal car crash

I am a lawyer, and I do not believe that Demjanjuk can get a fair trial in Germany on any of the charges made against him. The alleged crimes took place over 60 years ago. There are no eye witnesses to link him to any of the crimes. The documentary evidence comes from the Soviet Union which should not be trusted whatsoever. Regardless of how thin the evidence is, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be convicted of every charge, just as he was convicted in Israel. These trials are not about truth or justice. The trials are only about politics. -- Barry W. Eubanks, US

Berlusconi to remain in hospital for fourth night

It's very difficult to interpret if the attack on the prime minister was only the act of a maniac, or by a strongly disgusted man who hated him because of his political beliefs, or Berlusconi's way of life. It's very bad for an official of a powerful country to be wounded in public, surrounded by bodyguards. Respectfully, I wish him a fast recovery and prompt resumption of his leadership functions. -- Edgardo Berraz, Argentina

Film director Polanski arrested in Switzerland

He is not a career criminal and has done nothing wrong for 30 plus years. The state of California is broke; so why go to the expense of a trial? It's just unbelievable and political. The man is 76 years old, what purpose would it prove? -- Joe Wilson, US

It's too late, much too late. Let it go. I know what Roman Polanski has done was very wrong. He should never have done that. But it happened, and we can't go back to 1977 and re-live that year. Please never forget the importance of the victim's opinion. She wants this case to end without Polanski going to prison in the US. -- Don Heckers, The Netherlands

British Airways cabin crews to strike over Christmas

In this economy, how a union can support a strike is beyond belief. I am a retired airline employee, I understand they are against the cost-cutting measures, but they should be happy they have a job. It is better to have something coming in than nothing at all. Didn't they learn a lesson from Wall Street? Greed gets you nowhere. I was to visit my brother in the UK over the holidays, having recently lost our father. That is doubtful now. Thank you BA Flight Crews for a wonderful holiday. Hope yours is just as happy. -- Patsy Riches, US

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Kyle James