Schroeder commits troops to coalition

BERLIN, NOV. 6. The German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, on Tuesday offered up to 3,900 German troops for the U.S. war on terrorism, backing up Germany's pledge of solidarity with the United States.

The historic offer to ready German troops could lead to the nation's widest ranging military engagement since World War II. But reflecting Germany's reluctance to become embroiled in combat, Mr. Schroeder said there were no immediate plans to deploy ground troops. ``This is an important, fundamental and - if you like - historic decision,'' he said.

Germany's participation would include help combating nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; about 100 special forces; medical evacuation services; air transport and naval forces to protect shipping lanes, Mr. Schroeder told a news conference. He has been eager to put Germany in the forefront of the coalition's military response to terrorism, and said he expected to win Parliament's approval next week. He said the Government's positive response to the specific U.S. requests was issued in ``a solidarity that I have expressed again and again'' since the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Britain has been Washington's staunchest European NATO ally in the anti-terror campaign, flying refuelling and reconnaissance missions in support of U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan. It had also fired Tomahawk cruise missiles from a submarine in the Arabian Sea.

Canada, another major contributor, has provided ships, aircraft, special forces and 2,000 other personnel. Italy has offered to supply an armored regiment, attack helicopters, fighter jets and specialists in nuclear, chemical and germ warfare for the coalition. Other contributors include Australia with SAS special forces, war ships and aircraft; New Zealand with a commitment of special forces and humanitarian aid and Turkey, which pledged an anti-guerilla mountain warfare unit. ``We mustn't forget that the military measures are only a part of the measures against international terrorism,'' Mr. Schroeder said.

While insisting that Germany also must contribute militarily, Mr. Schroeder emphasised the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to hold the international coalition against terrorism together, the humanitarian mission to help Afghans, economic sanctions aimed at undermining terror networks and cooperation of secret services.

The Government's proposal to Parliament would initially limit authority to deploy German troops to one year, Mr. Schroeder said, emphasising, however, that the year did not reflect any estimate that the campaign would be over by then. ``I cannot say how the campaign against international terrorism will last,'' he said.

- AP

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