German Spy Chief Denies Negotiations Behind Trip to Beirut
September 1, 2006
Germany's foreign intelligence chief Ernst Uhrlau headed to Lebanon following calls from Israel for help in securing the release of its soldiers captured by Hezbollah, the foreign ministry said.
"I can confirm ... that (BND Chief Ernst) Uhrlau is in the meantime on his way," Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler told Germany's N24 television Thursday. "But I cannot confirm that there has been any concrete negotiations."
Germany is often mentioned as a potential Middle East mediator as it enjoys close ties to both Israel and the region's Arab states.
Rumors of German negotiating role only rumors
"The Israeli state is hoping for and also expects from us to do what we can," Erler added. "And we are happy to oblige."
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, however, said Germany was not involved in negotiating between the two parties. A BND source was also quoted Friday by the Süddeutsche Zeitung said rumors of a mediating role for Germany circulating through the Lebanese press were unsubstantiated.
The paper also reported that Uhrlau was headed to Beirut to thank security officials there for providing a tip that lead to the arrest of a Lebanese man suspected of bringing a bomb onto a German train in July.
Berlin's history of mediation
Berlin has helped mediate between Israel and Hezbollah in the past, with both Steinmeier and Uhrlau, who were then serving in different roles, involved in brokering a 2004 Israel-Hezbollah hostage swap.
A senior Israeli political source told Reuters on Thursday that Israel was prepared to discuss freeing Lebanese prisoners for two soldiers held hostage by Hezbollah were released to the Lebanese government in exchange for setting free Arab prisoners.
The kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers, two by Hezbollah and another by Palestinians, triggered Israel's 34-day-offensive on Lebanon in a bid to rout the radical Shiite organization's militia that led to the death of some 1,200 people in Lebanon and 157 Israelis.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Tuesday, during a visit to Berlin, urged Germany to "work for the release of the kidnapped soldiers", noting that it "has already played an important role in the past in negotiations with Hezbollah."
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh has also called on Germany to help resolve the hostage crisis.