"SPIEGEL: Referring to countries like Saudi
Arabia, the federal government's guidelines state: "The export of weapons will
not be approved unless, in an individual case, special foreign policy or
security policy interests (…) support approval, which should only be granted in
exceptional cases." Does Saudi Arabia's role in the Gulf justify this
exception?
Friedrich: The Saudis are a stabilizing
factor in an extremely unstable region, and one that we should not
underestimate. The dialogue with the government in Riyadh is important to us,
because it's the only way we can exert influence. We are pleased that we have
this kind of a partner on the Gulf, with whom we can, for example, talk about
fighting international terrorism and who assists us.
SPIEGEL: Doesn't it trouble you to be
providing arms to a government that is miles away from Western notions of
democracy?
Friedrich: We are not providing arms to a
government. We are supporting the Saudi border police in the training of their
officers. We are showing them how to secure borders.
SPIEGEL: Do tanks, which can be used
against protesters, also promote democracy?
Friedrich: You don't give up, do
you?" (Mouin)
