Posted on 11/06/2001 5:22:44 AM PST by a_Turk
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will mobilize up to 3,900 troops for the Afghanistan (news - web sites) campaign in response to a U.S. request, but has not been asked to join air raids or commit long-term ground troops, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Tuesday.
Schroeder said the United States had asked Germany to make available special forces, Fuchs armored vehicles equipped to check terrain for contamination, as well as medical staff, transport planes and a naval detachment.
``The government plans to accede to the request from the United States,'' Schroeder told a news conference, adding he expected parliament to give its approval to make German troops available for one year to the U.S.-led campaign.
``The government is confident this package will effectively support the fight against terrorism and meet our alliance commitments.''
Schroeder declined to say where and at what stage of the campaign the German troops would be deployed. ``A contribution to the air strikes or providing ground troops was not requested,'' he said
U.S. warplanes pounded Afghanistan's ruling Taliban on Tuesday as the United States continued its military strikes to flush out Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden (news - web sites), who Washington blames for the September attacks on U.S. landmarks.
GLOBAL AMBITIONS
Participation in military action is a particularly sensitive issue in Germany, which, mindful of the crimes of the Nazis, requires parliamentary approval of any deployment of troops outside the NATO area.
The contribution reflects Germany's ambition, 56 years after the end of World War Two, to take a more prominent role in world affairs that matches its economic might.
``This is a historic decision,'' said Schroeder.
Germany took part in air strikes in the 1999 Kosovo campaign but its participation in Afghanistan, far away from its backyard in the Balkans, demonstrates willingness to live up to military commitments its allies have urged it to fulfill for years.
Schroeder has consistently rejected speculation that Germany may resort to contributing cash rather than soldiers, similar to its role in the 1991 Gulf War when it paid about $10 billion.
He has said Germany would be prepared to make a military contribution as part of his pledge of ``unlimited solidarity'' with the United States.
But the decision looks set to put added strain on Schroeder's coalition with the pacifist-leaning Greens party, several prominent members of which have called for a halt to the U.S. bombing raids on Afghanistan.
The decision is virtually certain to be approved in parliament, as required. The main opposition parties, the conservative Christian Democrats and liberal Free Democrats, have said they would support a German contribution.
``You don't need to be a prophet to see that this won't be easy for the coalition,'' said Richard Hilmer, managing director at the Infratest polling institute.
``Members of the Greens are calling for attacks to be suspended and this does not fit well with approving German troop deployment,'' he said.
``The dispute could worsen and it could prove to be the crack along which the coalition breaks.''
Schroeder said the United States had made five specific requests.
It wants Germany's Fuchs armored vehicles -- equipped to check terrain for nuclear, chemical and biological contamination -- which would involve up to 800 soldiers.
It has also asked for up to 250 medical staff as well as 100 special forces troops which could take part in ``hit and run'' actions but would not constitute ground troops in the sense of being stationed for a prolonged period of time.
In addition, aircraft and 500 personnel would be provided from air transport units. Finally, Germany would dispatch naval vessels with 1,800 sailors to protect shipping, Schroeder said.
Don't Germans and Turks hate each other (despite being allies in WWI)?Not really.. Just that Germans for a large part still like to think of themselves as somewhat of a master race, coupled with the couple of million unskilled Turkish labor they voluntarily took in during the 60s and 70s have made it possible for quite a few of them to cultivate an attitude.
Thank you Mr. Schroeder for finally getting off your rear end and deciding it is time for Germany to stand up and help defend Western Civilization. It is under attack by savages and if the western world doesn't pull together and shut them down then we will get just what we deserve.
if the western world doesn't pull together and shut them down then we will get just what we deserve.And that's the Truth.
I hope the Germans are willing to leave when this is all over .I know.. Did they ever get that Berlin to Bagdad railroad finished?
Well, someone´s got to schedule the urlaub zeit.Skiing in the Hindu Kush?
Are these going to be SS troops?Colonel Klink's Wehrmacht likely..
A big American thank you to Germany - and to Turkey - for standing tall together with the United States and other allies in this war for the survival of civilization, not just America's - but the entire world's.You are welcome, and thank you - the USA - for providing that much needed leadership.
Well thanks AP glad to know that's all that happened.
who Washington blames for the September attacks on U.S. landmarks. Well thanks AP glad to know that's all that happened.Ain't that something? They're already talking about it like it's nothing.
These "greens" are just some ex-commies who still believe that Che and Stalin are nice people! The Germans should strap those "greens" to their verhicles to protect them from small arms fire over in Afghanistan (human shields).
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