Germans to the Front?
November 8, 2001
In a speech to the country’s lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, the German chancellor explained why 3900 German soldiers are to take part in the US-led campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan.
The German parliament is now debating the move, which would commit German troops to a fighting role outside Europe for the first time since World War II.
The German constitution, drafted with the country's militaristic past in mind, requires that parliament approves any deployment of troops outside the NATO area.
The German parliament is virtually certain to give its support in a vote expected next week. The main opposition parties - the conservative Christian Democrats and liberal Free Democrats have said they will back a German military role.
Germany's military role
Under the plan, some 3,450 soldiers will be mobilised in special forces, as well as Fuchs armoured vehicle units equipped to check terrain for contamination, transport planes, a naval detachment and medical staff. An additional 450 support troops will be put on standby, bringing the total to 3,900.
The German Cabinet formally authorised the mobilisation of the troops to join the U.S.-led effort. The cabinet met after Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder decided on Tuesday to mobilise the troops as part of his pledge of "unlimited solidarity" with the United States following the September 11 attacks on U.S. territory.
The cabinet decision asks parliament to allow the troops to be ready for 12 months.
The German public appear to be divided on the issue. A poll conducted by "Die Woche", a weekly newspaper, found that 51 percent of the German population are in favour of sending troops to Afghanistan. But more than half of the population are against them being deployed in a ground war.
Green Dissent
The move has opened a rift with Schröder’s junior coalition partner - the traditionally pacifist Green Party. It may be more than they can swallow. Top members have called for a halt to the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan. Several Green deputies have said they will vote against it.
The German foreign minister and most prominent Green Party member, Joschka Fischer, firmly supports the military mission. The newspaper "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" quoted him as saying that he would leave the party if it failed to back the mission.
The German parliament will vote on the military mission in the coming week. Despite the internal rangling, the government is confident that the Red-Green coalition – which has a majority of 16 in parliament – will hold.