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October 11, 2008 11:11:15 PM CDT

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Germany Balks at US Request for Troop Help

Posted Feb 1, 08 5:47 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Germany has rejected a request from US defense secretary Robert Gates for more troops to fight the Taliban insurgency in southern Afghanistan, Der Spiegel reports. German defense minister Franz Josef Jung prefers his troops remain in the country's north, in accordance with Germany's Afghanistan mandate—which says troops will only head south to aid allies in emergencies.

Germany chancellor Angela Merkel said a mandate change is “not up for discussion.” The US is sending 3,200 Marines to Afghanistan, but they will remain for only seven months, at which time Gates expects NATO allies—especially the Germans—to take over. But Gates and Jung hold opposing views: While Gates urges combat, Jung aims for “integrated security” and reconstruction.

Sources Der Spiegel, Der Spiegel

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A soldier of the Afghan National Army stands guard during a patrol in Musa Qala, Afghanistan - formerly a Taliban stronghold - in this Dec 15, 2007 file photo. In a subtle shift with profound implications...   (Associated Press)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel reviews the honour guard during the Spanish - German summit in Palma de Mallorca on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain, Thursday Jan. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul...   (Associated Press)
Unidentified U.S. Marines are shown in this 2001 file photo in Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008 authorized the deployment of about 3,200 U.S. Marines be sent...   (Associated Press)
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks with reporters at the Pentagon, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 in Washington. His request to Germany for more troops in Afghanistan was rejected. (AP Photo/Linda Spillers)   (Associated Press)
German Minister of Defense, Franz Josef Jung, gestures during a press statement in Berlin, Friday, Feb.1, 2008. Jung talked about the mission of the German army in Afganistan. (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)   (Associated Press)
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Afghanistan  • Taliban  • US military  • Germany  • NATO  • Angela Merkel  • Marine


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