Germany welcomed the Pershing missiles in the early 80's.
Germany took part to coalitions against Iraq in 91,
Germany took part to the Kosovo war.
Germany is a sovereign state that went through elections.
It has the complete right not to agree with the US on this current Iraqi issue alone.
One of the ministers said words that caused quite a stir in Germany too.
The minister resigned and Schroeder sent a letter to the white house adminstration to apologize.
But the white house didn't even sent a formal congratulation letter (which is always the case among heads of states, even if one is not happy about who wins). At least, that's what happens among europeans.

Raoul