No German troops to go to Iraq

[BlackRain]

No German troops to go to Iraq


BRUSSELS - Germany will not send troops to Iraq, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer reaffirmed Friday, adding that NATO's key task was to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Fischer, speaking after a first-ever joint meeting of NATO's 26 new and old member states, said alliance discussions had focused on Afghanistan.

Even US Secretary of State Colin Powell had emphasised that "Afghanistan is priority number one for the alliance," Fischer said.

NATO's task in Afghanistan was especially important given elections in the country in September, Fischer said.

NATO governments are under pressure to provide more troops to establish additional military Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) needed to help the Afghan authorities exercise their authority beyond Kabul and prepare for elections.

Adding to NATOs challenges, the US is now pressing the alliance to strengthen its role in Iraq.

Alliance ministers met for talks on new challenges after participating in an emotionally-charged ceremony marking the entry of seven ex-Soviet bloc nations into the once fiercely anti-communist military organisation.

Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia are now full-fledged member of NATO.

[Soulhunter]

After these reports from militia clashes in Afghanistan, it doesn't seem too stupid to concentrate NATO action there.

[BlackRain]

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell wants NATO to station forces in Iraq after power has been transferred to the Iraqi people at the end of June.

But French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier believes NATO is in no position to make decisions concerning Iraq, and his German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, is just as cautious: he sees bringing stability to Afghanistan as NATO's foremost duty now.

[Soulhunter]

so now the US is begging France to come to Iraq? ;)

anyone want some Freedom Fries with that?

[Brozozo]

F*ckin wieners, them beaurocrats. I say the Germans give the French a lashing again...but this time we side with the Germans!

[stuntman]

No German troops to go to Iraq
WTF is new?

[Whistler]

Why the hell is France saying what should and shouldn't be the mission of NATO? I thought they quit in the 60s.

They can eat a cold bowl of **** as far as I'm concerned.

[Obergefreiter]

They really are not needed. If there is no political will to use them, why send them?

[fred_engles]

Why the hell is France saying what should and shouldn't be the mission of NATO? I thought they quit in the 60s.France is still a member of NATO, although they are the only NATO country that's not part of the NATO military command organization (they quit that in '66).

[talib_killa34]

The UN is going to take over operations in Iraq eventually, might as well get it over with.

[Webley]

Better that the French and the German troops be used to take over peacekeeping duties in the Balkans so that the US can move its troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.

[talib_killa34]

Better that the French and the German troops be used to take over peacekeeping duties in the Balkans so that the US can move its troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Not bad... ;)

[admar2]

Better that the French and the German troops be used to take over peacekeeping duties in the Balkans so that the US can move its troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.

somehow that makes sense, yet is hilarious at the same time.


the french and germans handle a problem in their own backyard????

rofl

[Truthsayer]

Better that the French and the German troops be used to take over peacekeeping duties in the Balkans so that the US can move its troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.

somehow that makes sense, yet is hilarious at the same time.


the french and germans handle a problem in their own backyard????

rofl

That you want to debate it or just flame those countries?

Here is a tip: read up some on the subject first.

[FallenAngel]

so now the US is begging France to come to Iraq? ;)

anyone want some Freedom Fries with that?

No, you idiot, they are still part of NATO- just not militarily. They still have a voice in the priorities of the alliance.

I respect the Germans decision though. Their constitution only allows them to deploy a small number of forces beyond their borders (20.000 I think) and the majority of that number is in Afghanistan. If I remember right, they have the largest contingent of troops in the region.

If/When the S. Koreans deploy their 3600 men to Iraq, along with the rest of the 1000 Japanese contingent plus the Georgians and other countries...there are enough numbers. Maybe redeploying troops from the far south and north of Iraq, where things are relatively peaceful, to the hotter spots might be in order.

Or after the Iraqi government takes power. The UN *might* help out then if they ask for it. The reason they are not involved already is that the US insisted they would control the military situation- not the UN. When the Iraqi government takes power, that decision will (presumably) be up to them.

[Soulhunter]

FallenAngel: namecalling is a sign of great wisdom and intelligence...

[seventy6er]

I respect the Germans decision though. Their constitution only allows them to deploy a small number of forces beyond their borders (20.000 I think) and the majority of that number is in Afghanistan. If I remember right, they have the largest contingent of troops in the region.


ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), Afghanistan, Usbekistan: ca. 2.000 Soldaten (davon ca. 96 Frauen)
KFOR (Kosovo Force): ca. 3.700 (davon 120 Frauen),
SFOR (Stabilization Force), Bosnien und Herzegowina: ca. 1.300 (davon 52 Frauen)
NATO HQ Skopje, Mazedonien: 12
UNOMIG (United Nations Mission in Georgia), Georgien: 11
EF (Enduring Freedom) Horn von Afrika: ca. 300 (davon 19 Frauen)
UNMEE (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea): 2
Active Endevour 450
Total: around 7.750 soldiers

[Korth]

Old News

[seventy6er]

Old News

What?

[Parzival]

That is bad, German and France....
They got the seekend largest armies in NATO after USA, so they would be a big help in Iraq.

[RS_Leo1A5]

The problem is:
Even if the German government wanted to send the Bundeswehr to Iraq - it wouldn't be possible!
The German military budget is so small that the soldiers at home have enough problems keeping their gear running. Even moreso now, when most of the money goes to the units deployed in other countries.
Also remember that most Bundeswehr soldiers are conscripts who cannot be sent to international missions against their will.