GERMANY: GERHARD SCHROEDER SAYS IF REQUESTED GERMANY CAN MOBILISE UP TO 3,900 TROOPS FOR US LED CAMPAIGN IN AFGHANISTAN

Record ID: 647287

  • Title: GERMANY: GERHARD SCHROEDER SAYS IF REQUESTED GERMANY CAN MOBILISE UP TO 3,900 TROOPS FOR US LED CAMPAIGN IN AFGHANISTAN
  • Date: 6th November 2001
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 6, 2001) (REUTERS) 1. MV GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER SURROUNDED BY AIDES 0.08 2. MV GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE AND SITTING DOWN 0.18 3. SCU SCHROEDER 0.24 4. CUTAWAY MEDIA 0.29 5. SCU SOUNDBITE (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER SAYING: "I have always stressed that our solidarity also might include possible military support. Therefore the German government plans to accede to the request from the United States. Initially this means that we will provide these forces, however a concrete deployment remains a decision to be made by us nationally." 1.00 6. MV/ WIDE OF JOURNALISTS 1.10 7. SMV MEDIA TAKING PHOTOS OF SCHROEDER 1.17 8. SCU SOUNDBITE (German) CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER SAYING: "All in all, including support troops, we will provide at most 3,900 soldiers, of course not all at the same time. It is important to point out that we were not asked to take part in air attacks or provide ground troops." 1.49 VARIOUS FILE - ARCHIVE (REUTERS) 9. VARIOUS, KSK ELITE TROOPS TRAINING AT SIEGE HOSTAGE EXERCISE (6 SHOTS) 2.49 LANDSBERG, GERMANY (JULY 29, 2001)(REUTERS) 10. SLV /MV SOLDIERS WALKING ACROSS RUNWAY AND GETTING INTO TRANSPORT PLANES (2 SHOTS) 3.00 11. VARIOUS, TRANSPORT PLANES TAKING OFF ( 5 SHOTS) 3.36 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 21st November 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BERLIN AND VARIOUS, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA6S3BYM3KLYFXJQOEXC88M7VPE
  • Story Text: Germany will mobilise up to 3,900 troops for the
    campaign in Afghanistan in response to a U.S. request, but
    Berlin has not been asked to join air raids or commit ground
    troops, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said.



    Schroeder said on Tuesday (November 6, 2001), the United
    States had asked Germany to make available special forces, its
    Fuchs armoured vehicle 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 was confident this package will effectively
    support the fight against terrorism and meet Germany's
    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.

    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 Germanys ambition, 56 years
    after the end of World War Two, to take a more prominent role
    in world affairs that matches its economic might.

    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 a willingness to
    live up to military commitments its allies have urged it to
    fulfil 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
    US$10 billion.

    He said Germany would be prepared to make a military
    contribution as part of his pledge of unlimited solidarity
    with the United States.

    But the undertaking 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.-led 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.

    Schroeder said the United States had made five specific
    requests.

    It wants Fuchs tanks equipped to check terrain for
    nuclear, chemical and biological contamination, which would
    involve up to 800 soldiers.

    The US also asked for up to 250 medical staff as well as
    100 special forces to 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, 500 troops would be provided as part of air
    transport units. Finally, Germany would dispatch naval vessels
    with 1,800 troops to protect shipping, Schroeder said.


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