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Germany Rebuffs U.S. On Troops in Afghanistan
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While Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats are sympathetic to the Bush administration's requests, her party has been forced to govern in a politically awkward coalition with its historical rival, the Social Democrats, who are much less supportive.
German officials said they are restricted by a 2007 parliamentary vote that capped the number of German personnel in Afghanistan at 3,500. The rules largely limit the troops to peacekeeping duty in the north and allow them to operate elsewhere only under "emergency" circumstances.
Germany also has deployed six Tornado surveillance jets. And last month it agreed to provide 250 combat troops as part of a NATO "quick reaction force" that will replace 350 Norwegian soldiers.
"Our tasks and responsibilities are substantial and we are good at what we do," Karl Lamers, deputy chairman of the German Parliament's defense committee, said in a telephone interview. "I see no reason why that should be changed. A change would endanger the entire operation in Afghanistan."
Washington officials, however, have criticized the performance of German and other NATO forces. In December, without mentioning Germany by name, Gates called NATO's program to train Afghan police officers "disappointing," saying the force was plagued by corruption. Germany oversees the program.
Last month, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gates described some NATO troops in the south as ill-equipped to fight the Taliban. "I'm worried we have some military forces that don't know how to do counterinsurgency operations," he said.
His comments provoked resentment in European capitals. NATO defense ministers are to meet in Lithuania next week to discuss options. But lawmakers and experts said there's less willingness than ever to share the burdens of the Afghanistan mission.
"It's kind of like a poker game, and everybody is playing their part," said Riecke, the security analyst.
Special correspondent Shannon Smiley contributed to this report.
