Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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Line 130: ==== Bundeswehr reform ==== In early 2010, Guttenberg decided to push for fundamental Bundeswehr reforms in an effort to address the structural deficits within the German armed forces<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,687458,00.html|title=Billig-Training vor dem tödlichen Einsatz|language=German|publisher=Spiegel Online|date=2010-04-06|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/jahresbericht-zur-bundeswehr-mangel-und-missstand-an-allen-fronten-1551308.html|title=Mangel und Missstand an allen Fronten|language=German|publisher=stern.de|date=2010-03-16|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> and to deal with declining defense budgets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faz.net/artikel/C30923/verteidigungsetat-guttenbergs-opferbereitschaft-30074342.html|title=Guttenbergs Opferbereitschaft|language=German|publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine|date=2010-06-02|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> The overall goal was to boost the Bundeswehr’s expeditionary capabilities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2011587827_apeugermanymilitaryreform.html|title=German military could send more troops abroad|publisher=The Seattle Times|date=2010-04-12|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> while, at the same time, achieving cost reductions. To accomplish these reforms, Guttenberg proposed to reduce the armed forces to 165,000 active duty soldiers and to suspend the [[Conscription|draft]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5644876,00.html|title=German defense minister could abolish conscription in budget drive|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=2010-06-03|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/world/europe/24iht-germany.html|title=Germany Plans Major Restructuring of Military|publisher=The New York Times|date=2010-08-23|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2013076,00.html|title=Will the German Army Drop the Draft?|publisher=Time|date=2010-08-25|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> resulting in the most comprehensive restructuring of the Bundeswehr since its founding in 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehrreform-was-passiert-wenn-die-wehrpflicht-endet-1633092.html|title=Was passiert, wenn die Wehrpflicht endet|language=German|publisher=stern.de|date=2010-12-10|accessdate=2014-04-05}}</ref> Guttenberg’s reform plans were supported by a blue-ribbon "Bundeswehr Structural Commission"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:c641f957-724d-4c7b-98dd-fbe9d82940d5|title=Restructuring Recommendations|publisher=Aviation Week|date=2010-10-27|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> that the minister created in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/549/|title=Committee established to tailor Bundeswehr structure to future requirements|publisher=Defence Professionals|date=2010-04-14|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> The proposals triggered a major debate about the country’s draft system and were met with significant political opposition, not least in Guttenberg’s own political party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,708905-3,00.html|title=Conscription Debate Divides German Conservatives|publisher=Spiegel Online International|date=2010-07-29|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> In the end, Guttenberg’s view won out and on 29 October 2010, the CSU general party convention approved the minister’s motion to suspend the draft by a large majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,726239,00.html|title=CSU stimmt für Aussetzung der Wehrpflicht|language=German|publisher=Spiegel Online|date=2010-10-29|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> Several weeks later, Chancellor Merkel’s CDU held its own party convention and also voted in favor of suspending the draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/parteien-cdu-stimmt-fuer-aussetzung-der-wehrpflicht_aid_572412.html|title=CDU stimmt für Aussetzung der Wehrpflicht|language=German|publisher=Focus Online|date=2010-11-15|accessdate=2011-08-18}}</ref> In November 2010, a [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] revealed that American diplomats viewed Guttenberg positively, with one cable describing him as a "foreign policy expert, a [[Transatlanticism|transatlanticist]] and a close and well-known friend to the United States".<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,731645-3,00.html How America Views the Germans] 30 November 2010</ref>
=== Plagiarism scandal and resignation === | |||