[Chad Fairbanks]

I thought that Germany does not depoy troops outside of Germany ???? I think it's even in their constitution... I could be wrong, but I thought that was the case...

[John H K]

Germany has had troops in the Former Yugoslavia for years now.

It's Japan with all the Constitutional restrictions now.

[LarryLied]

German Navy To Be Deployed Off Somalian Coast

A joint effort with the USA, blocking terrorists from getting out of Somalia.Perhaps Das Kriegsmarine took a detour a little south.

[Sal]

The Germans used the cover of the Gulf War to make the change. I'm pretty sure that was the first time they actually deployed troops outside of Germany, but I don't remember exactly how they handled it WRT their constitution.

Remember they made a big deal of sending in soldiers ONLY to support the other soldiers and/or do humanitarian things (rescues???) and not in a direct combat activity.

At the time I thought they were dipping their big toe in the water with a possible 'cannon ball' to follow when it suited them. That's about the time also when they started pressing for a seat on the UN Security Council. Long term plan?