The Wall Street Journal-Europe gives background. But, it only reaches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Herbert Honsowitz, Germany’s ambassador in Iran.
From the Iran News Round Up (November 22, 2007): Honsowitz told the Iranian press not to worry about Berlin’s announcement that it would reduce trade, as German companies had simply utilized the United Arab Emirates as a middleman to the tune of over $4 billion. He added, “At present time the Economic Affairs Section of the German Embassy is working on taking the necessary measures to preserve and improve economic relations between the private sector in Germany and Iran.”
From the Iran News Round Up (November 29, 2007): Germany, with 17 nuclear power plants…considers nuclear energy a normal matter. “We will struggle to expand trade and political relations between Germany and Iran,” he said.
Herbert Honsowitz, his embarrassing endorsement of death to Israel rallies, and his desire to expand trade with the Islamic Republic becomes a shining example of why multilateralism does not work and why diplomacy will not be enough to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.