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Afghanistan
Afghanistan: German MPs approve extra troops and extend mission
2008-10-17
(AKI) - Germany's lower house of parliament on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to increase by 1,000 the number of troops it can send to Afghanistan and extended the mission's mandate by 14 months.

Under a previous parliamentary mandate, Germany was allowed to send up to 3,500 troops to Afghanistan. Thursday's vote increases that number to 4,500. Germany is one of nearly 40 countries that have deployed troops to Afghanistan within the 50,000-strong NATO-led peacekeeping mission (ISAF).

But the move by Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition to extend Berlin's participation in a NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan is unpopular with German voters, who are mindful of the rising violence in the war-torn country.

Morale among German soldiers is at a record low as they face mounting attacks from a resurgent Taliban.
Maybe if they were allowed to defend themselves ...
During the past year, the security situation has deteriorated across Afghanistan, including the north, where German soldiers are stationed. German soldiers in northern Afghanistan daily run the risk of "being caught in an explosion or being shot at," said an unnamed officer, quoted by Germany's DPA news agency.
Posted by:Fred

#4  Whiskey Mike: that is a good thing to keep in mind.
Posted by: Abu do you love   2008-10-17 11:38  

#3  Definitely not the troop's fault. Blame the politicians. Ditto for French, Brit, Dutch, etc. troops. These guys would all kick ass if permitted. Don't paint the troops the piss yellow coward color of their politicians.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike   2008-10-17 07:54  

#2  Not the Army, those who send them with arms attached
Posted by: European Conservative   2008-10-17 00:37  

#1  Still Barney Fife, only one bullet and must be kept in their pocket.

German Army is pussified.
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-10-17 00:35  

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