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http://www.ncmonline.com/content/ncm/2002/apr/0429germany.html New California Media Germany Expand Role in War on Terrorism NCM Online, By Paolo Pontoniere, April 29, 2002 -The international contingent, which operates mainly off the Horn of Africa but reaches as far north as Oman and Bahrain, has been charged with making sure that no terrorist fleeing Afghanistan can reach Somalia. The East African operation has involved a series of ship boarding and cargo seizures in international waters. It has been quietly criticized by African and Arab nations facing the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea for creating a potentially dangerous situation for marine merchants and fishing vessels in the area. European media have reported that Germany plans to expand its military role in the war against terrorism. Observers expect German Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping's mission to Washington this week to result in a German take-over of the command of an allied naval squadron, which has been operating off the coast of East Africa since January. This would mark the first time since World War II that Germany takes command of a military operation outside the sphere of NATO's influence. The international contingent, which operates mainly off the Horn of Africa but reaches as far north as Oman and Bahrain, has been charged with making sure that no terrorist fleeing Afghanistan can reach Somalia. The East African operation has involved a series of ship boarding and cargo seizures in international waters. It has been quietly criticized by African and Arab nations facing the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea for creating a potentially dangerous situation for marine merchants and fishing vessels in the area. Germany currently provides 12 vessels, including the ultramodern frigate Koeln, and about 1400 marines to the naval squadron. Other participating countries include France, England, Italy, and the US. Command of the naval squad now rests with the US Navy. After Scharping's meeting with US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, the German Defense Secretary plans to visit West Point, the United Nations, and the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida where General Tommy Franks, Joint Chief of Staff for the Central Command, heads up Operation Enduring Freedom. Though poised to relieve the US of its command, Germany will probably reduce its naval presence in the East African squadron from 12 to six ships. Europeans believe that this re-deployment should not be interpreted as a sign of Germany's waning resolve to participate in the international coalition fighting terrorism. On the contrary, European observers note that, since the beginning of the campaign in Afghanistan, Germany, militarily speaking, has exceeded all expectations. Germany has provided the US with warships and with 100 Special Forces soldiers, who have been fighting with American and British troops since the beginning of the hostilities. In addition, soon after September 11, Germany sent its AWACS planes to the US when America had to move its radar planes to Afghanistan, in order to provide the US with military air coverage. Sources: Deutsche Welle, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Il Corriere della Sera, Il Manifesto, Le Monde Diplomatique, Radio Netherlands __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness http://health.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
