Washington, D.C. — Leaders of 30 U.S. groups are demanding that Germany issue an apology and end its government’s interference in U.S. elections. Germany’s top diplomat in San Francisco has been actively campaigning against a measure to protect marriage that California citizens will be voting on next Tuesday.
A letter to Germany’s Foreign Minister describes Consul General Rolf Schuette’s advocacy for same-sex “marriage,” including speeches and inviting the German Minister of Justice to campaign on the subject in August. The speeches and a report on the lecture were posted on the consulate’s website.
The letter notes, “We are writing to complain that a member of the German Foreign Service is interfering in a domestic matter of the United States that will be decided by American citizens. His actions violate the role of a diplomat and abuses the courtesies extended to members of a foreign government. He has actively engaged in American domestic political disputes and brings disrepute to your country by his insensitive misuse of his role as a guest and a representative of the German government in our country.
“He boasted that he invited a member of the German government to America to speak on same-sex ‘marriage’ — the subject of Proposition 8 — to special interest groups working against the measure...It is rather shocking that out of seven speeches published [on the consulate’s website], two are about a domestic political concern that Americans will be voting on.
“We believe the aggressive interference by an official of the German Foreign Ministry is scandalous. We ask you to put a stop to Mr. Schuette’s campaigning for same-sex 'marriage' in California and we ask for an apology from your government. This is an issue that the American people will decide on our own.”
Signers include Concerned Women for America, Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute, Family Research Council, Alliance Defense Fund, American Family Association, and California pastor Jim Garlow who is leading the effort in support of the marriage amendment.
Copies of the letter were sent to the US Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, to the Assistant to the President for National Security Steven Hadley, and to the U.S. Vice President.
