Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that Germany was committed to deploying troops to northern Afghanistan to support reconstruction efforts, expanding the German peacekeeping role beyond the capital, Kabul.
Dateline, Paris: In related news, there was no similar declaration made by Pres. Chirac.
Schroeder’s Security Cabinet on Wednesday approved sending a possible 250 troops to the Konduz region to help maintain order and aid civilian relief organizations. The decision requires parliamentary approval. ``It has become clear that, on the one hand, the extension of the (peacekeeping) process makes sense and is necessary to stabilize the central government in Afghanistan; and on the other hand, that it is responsible as far as the security of the soldiers is concerned,’’ Schroeder told reporters. Earlier this month, Germany and the Netherlands handed over control of the 5,000-strong International Security Assistance Force in Kabul to NATO. Germany has 2,000 troops in Kabul, and Defense Minister Peter Struck has said repeatedly he favors following the United States and Britain in sending troops to the provinces of Afghanistan to bolster reconstruction.
| That should help somewhat. I'd guess the plan would be to create miniature versions of Kabul in the hope the idea will spread to adjacent areas... |
The United Nations, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and aid agencies have called for ISAF to be expanded throughout the country, much of which remains under the sway of feuding warlords. Still, western nations have been reluctant to take on the task. German security concerns are high following the June 7 deaths of four German soldiers in a suicide attack in the capital. Schroeder said Wednesday he hoped to send German troops to the provinces ``on the basis of an extension of the ISAF mandate,’’ keeping the peacekeeping effort separate from Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led fight against terrorism. Underlining Germany’s commitment to help the Afghan rebuilding effort, Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul was leaving for Kabul later Wednesday to meet with Karzai and other ministers.
Good news. Thanks, Germany. |