Merkel at the White House

Last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her first state visit to America. This was a scheduled visit, on the books long before Germany's treacherous release of Mohammed Ali Hamadi, the Hezbollah terrorist convicted of the murder of a U.S. Navy Seabee diver, Robert Dean Stethem, during the 1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847. It would appear that President Bush did not inquire as to the events of the last month.

Admittedly, I did wince at Mr. Bush's declaration of Germany as a "valued ally." Indeed, it would have pleased the Stethem family immensely to have heard that the administration had taken Ms. Merkel to the woodshed over Germany's act of betrayal. But emotions can short-sight your vision.

While at first blush the omission of this topic may be frustrating, it may well have been the most expedient. We live in very dangerous times. We can't afford to distance ourselves from any country that expresses interest in joining our effort toward greater world safety, Germany included. Although Germany has already demonstrated that it will never be a leader in the war on terrorism, that doesn't mean it doesn't have the potential to be an adequate team player. It is our burden to convince Germany that it is in its best interest to align itself squarely with the allies, particularly in regard to Iran. Iran is a problem. Whatever is to be done, it needs to be a global effort.

The fact remains, however, that due to the events of December 2005, Germany now has a serious credibility problem. True, Ms. Merkel has joined the chorus of America, Great Britain, and France in voicing concern over Iran's designs for the future. Alas, here's the rub: Her actions are not congruent with her spoken word. It's unclear with whom her allegiance truly lies. Ms. Merkel's release of Hamadi, an Iranian backed terrorist, is in direct conflict with the very European Union of states to which Germany belongs.

Is there a tie, perhaps financial, that binds Germany to Iran? Or was this simply an attempt to remain out of the fray by placating the extremists? Germany does host significantly populous Iranian and Lebanese communities. Could fear have been her motivation? It does appear to be more of an act of weakness than of intentional malice. Whatever the motive, Germany committed a grievous act of betrayal against this country, indeed, the world, in releasing Hamadi.

Now, how is Ms. Merkel to redeem herself? First, she might refrain from releasing convicted terrorists that are known to be directly funded by Iran. Second, Ms. Merkel should make a public statement as to whether Hamadi will be allowed to travel in and out of Germany's borders. If Hamadi is allowed to travel in and out of Germany, then every time that Hamadi crosses over into German territory and is not apprehended, Ms. Merkel will be betraying America, her supposed ally, all over again. Third, she could offer an explanation for her disregard of America's long standing extradition request. "He had served his time" provides a reason for Hamadi's release, not for denying America his extradition.

Iran currently looms over our future as a dark, powerful, and far-reaching menace. The allies can not afford such acts of weakness as occurred last month in Hamadi's release. We must press toward Iran with nothing less than a united front. Ms. Merkel must operate with integrity and America and our allies must hold her accountable.

Katherine Stethem's husband is Patrick Stethem, brother of the late U.S. Navy Petty Officer Robert Dean Stethem.