Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- U.S. may use German elite troops in operation By Emma Thomasson BERLIN, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The United States is consulting Germany over whether German elite troops might take part in a military response to last week's devastating attacks, the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper reported on Wednesday. Sources told the paper up to 300 men from Germany's special forces KSK unit could take part "immediately" in operations in Afghanistan, possibly with crack troops from other NATO countries, to free eight humanitarian aid workers held by the country's ruling Taliban movement since August. Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping declined to answer questions on the report at a news conference but said Berlin was in close contact with its American allies. There is growing speculation the U.S. will launch retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan, which is sheltering Saudi-born exile Osama bin Laden, Washington's prime suspect for the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. The German lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday in favour of a motion declaring solidarity with the United States and the readiness of the German armed forces to support any military retaliation. However, parliament would still have to vote again on any concrete German involvement. Since World War Two, the issue of military action abroad has been a particularly sensitive matter in Germany. The country only resumed participation in foreign missions in the mid-1990s and all major operations need parliamentary approval. A poll published on Wednesday showed 80 percent of Germans were in favour of retaliatory strikes by the United States although most opposed Germany sending its own troops. CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Military experts said the government could approve KSK participation, alongside American, British and French troops, without the consent of parliament because four of the aid workers held by the Taliban are German. Under a Constitutional Court ruling, the government is entitled to deploy armed forces on its own authority if there is a clear and present danger for German nationals. The aid workers from the charity Shelter Now International are accused of seeking to convert Muslims to Christianity -- an act punishable by death under the Taliban's strict Islamic rule. The secretive KSK, or Kommando Spezial Kraefte, is composed of several hundred men trained in parachuting, survival, hostage rescue and missions behind enemy lines. Media reports say the KSK has helped arrest Bosnian war crime suspects. German President Johannes Rau has said he expects Washington to only ask Berlin for logistical support, although the government has not ruled out offering military resources. In any case, senior military officials have warned that the German armed forces risk failing to meet existing international commitments due to chronic underfunding and ageing equipment. EMERGENCY PACKAGE Some relief looks like it is on the way after Finance Minister Hans Eichel announced an increase of three billion marks ($1.42 billion) in his 2002 budget to help boost internal security, with some of that earmarked for the military. The cash accompanies an emergency package of measures approved by cabinet on Wednesday including increasing airline cockpit security, improving baggage controls and clamping down on money laundering and fund raising by extremist groups. Other measures include lifting constitutional protection of religious groups acting illegally and tightening the law to crack down on foreigners who form criminal groups in Germany. Prosecutors have said at least three of the suspected hijackers who crashed planes into the U.S. landmarks spent time studying in Germany and media reports have also suggested there could be 30 "terror cells" active in the country. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday evening, sought to rally support for potential action, but stressed the importance of parallel political moves. "Germany is ready for risks, also military ones, but not for foolhardy enterprises," he told parliament. 11:58 09-19-01 ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
