German Parliament Extends Afghanistan Mission
Afghanistan | 12.10.2007
Despite public opposition, over 75 percent of Germany's lower house voted on Friday, Oct. 12, to extend the country's mission in Afghanistan by one year.
In a sweeping majority, 454 parliamentarians in Germany's Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, voted to continue Germany's military action in Afghanistan. Seventy-nine voted "no" and 48 abstained.
Fore
More..ign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany was committed to helping Afghanistan.
"If we give up, the opponents of the civilized world have won," he told parliament. "We don't want to let that happen. We will stand by the people of Afghanistan and help them to continue along the mapped-out path."
The decision combines Germany's participation in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and Tornado reconnaissance mission, which were previously covered by separate missions. The cost of the mandate over the coming year has been estimated at 500 million euros ($709 million).
As part of the newly approved mandate, up to 3,500 German soldiers could be deployed to Afghanistan as part of the ISAF mission. Currently, about 3,000 are stationed mainly in the country's relatively safer northern regions. Berlin has repeatedly refused NATO requests to send troops to southern Afghanistan.
The parties of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition -- the Christian Democratic Union, the Social Democratic Party -- as well as and the Free Democratic Party have consistently supported the Afghan mission, while the new left-wing alliance is against it.
Germany's Green party has expressed fundamental support for the country's involvement, but advocated a change in strategy. It has criticized the country's use of six Tornado reconnaissance jets in southern Afghanistan.
An OmniQuest poll for the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper showed 29 percent of Germans backed the extension. Other polls have consistently shown a majority of Germans want an end to the Bundeswehr's involvement in Afghanistan, which has claimed of 26 German soldiers' lives.
Germany's contribution of 100 special forces troops to the controversial US war on terror in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, won't be decided in parliament until November.
Source: Deutsche Welle @ dw-world.de
Related topics:
* Ahead of Key Vote, Minister Says Afghanistan Mission Can Work
Days before a key parliamentary vote on extending the German army's peacekeeping mandate in Afghanistan, Defense Minister Jung said there is a good chance at achieving success there. (08.10.2007)
* Three German Soldiers Injured in Afghanistan Blast
Three German soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were slightly injured in an explosion while on patrol west of the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, according to a statement from the German military. (05.10.2007)
* German Hostage Released in Afghanistan
A German man who was kidnapped in Afghanistan in July has been released, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday, Oct. 10. (10.10.2007)
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Added: Oct 12 2007 In: news_politics,middle_east
By: Ediman 
- Tags:
- Afghanistan,
- Germany,
- terror,
- NATA,
- ISAF,
- OEF,
- Parliament,
- Bundestag,
- Foreign Minister,
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
- Chancellor,
- Angela Merkel
- Views: 2275 |
- Votes: 0 |
- Recommendations: 0 |
- Comments: 13
Comments - sort by newest to oldest
People should remember that Iraq and Afghanistan are two totally different ball games.
Iraq "might" be an illegal operation (IMHO), and perhaps is tainted by ulterior motives.
Afghanistan on the other hand ... is a fight between the world and "Terry Taliban" ... the bastards who sent Afghanistan back to the 1700's and supported the terrorists that perpetrated 9/11.
Germany is right for supporting continued work in Afghanistan, the job is not complete.
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "l8rm8e" (R)
I'm just sick of war. Let's get this done right for once and for all.
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "unix-spider" (R)
Bang on, Afghanistan isn't Iraq and I'm glad the Germans are there supporting NATO allies for another year!
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "geshtunga" (R)
Glad to have the Bundeswehr still standing beside us.
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "benerval" (R)
i think besides sending soldiers our govt should put even more emphasis in restructuring and educational programs. this is the only way of reducing the influence of the taliban within the population on the long run...
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "thetis" (R)
true
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "cygiso" (R)
Very well said indeed.
Helping them also meet some of thier agricultural needs and getting those farmers more money will also derail the Taliban.
The farmers grow Opium (which NATO doesn't like) because the Taliban pay more for the Drugs than the Government does the food.
Posted Oct-12-2007 by "RoughRider1" (R)
fools
Posted Oct-13-2007 by "ssauga" (R)
a problem is the medieval culture and how they treat well meant "restructuring" and investments in their country.
they have no economics ..only selling opium, and clan wars, and a strong "i give a shit" morality.
the problem is we have 2007, and they are still somewhere in 1500, so restructuring and such, could take around 500 years until they get the idea or a clue of economics and sociality and democracy.
Posted Oct-14-2007 by "wantusrie" (R)
Very well said indeed.
Helping them also meet some of thier agricultural needs and getting those farmers more money will also derail the Taliban.
The farmers grow Opium (which NATO doesn't like) because the Taliban pay more for the Drugs than the Government does the food.
NATO doesn't like the Opium, right... but the CIA
Posted Oct-15-2007 by "eSurgent" (B)
I like it.
Posted Oct-16-2007 by "bravo61" (R)
The thing is that an afghan farmer can make about 70 times more money with opium than he could with food. They would be pretty dumb if they would no try. The other problemis that especially the german government tries to sell it as peacekeeping. Nobody wants to use the word "war". Though it for sure is a war. Most people reject the mission and because of that the necessary steps can not be taken. We need much more troops in Afg. The Italians got about 250 soldiers that they can send on patrol. In an area half as big as Italy! How can you be surprised by the fact that the enemy controls large parts of the country? I am glad we will be there for at least another year.But we have to stop reacting to the enemy and being passive. Also our politicians need to understand that you can not win the fight til you finally start to kill some bad guys.
Posted Oct-17-2007 by "baba85" (R)
come home save!!
Posted Oct-22-2007 by "Anthraxid" (R)