German folder manufacturer boycotts US components because of attack on Iraq

"Last night George W Bush began the war against Iraq. We condemn this action in the strongest terms," said Markus Riese and Heiko Mueller in a joint statement.

"As a consequence, [we] will, as of now, buy no more American components."

No need to lose money over it though because the statement goes on to say "components in stock will be used up, and then replaced with components from other manufacturers."

The Darmstadt-based folder-and-utility-bike maker is urging its US suppliers to "communicate our boycott to their government."

Mark Alker of Singletrack magazine isn’t impressed:

"I suppose they will still be sticking Shimano gear on despite Japan today announcing their support for the US invasion."

For bulletin board comments, see:

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/…/read.php3?f=1&i=13242&t=13242

Thanks to Peter Eland for the German-to-English translation of R&M’s statement.

http://www.velovision.co.uk