BERLIN (Islamweb & News Agencies) - Germany signaled its ambition to play a more prominent role in world affairs on Tuesday by agreeing to mobilize up to 3,900 troops to support the U.S-led Afghan campaign.
The decision, called historic by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, could lead to the first deployment of German troops in a fighting role outside Europe since World War Two.
Germany took part in air strikes in the 1999 Kosovo campaign but its participation in Afghanistan, far away from its Balkan backyard, demonstrates its willingness to live up to military commitments its allies have urged it to fulfil for years.
Schroeder said the United States had asked Germany to make available special forces, Fuchs armored vehicles equipped to check terrain for contamination, medical staff, transport planes and a naval detachment.
But he said Germany had not been asked to join air raids or commit ground troops long-term. He declined to say where and at what stage of the campaign the German troops would be deployed.
``The government plans to accede to the request from the United States,'' Schroeder told a news conference, adding he expected parliament to give its approval to make German troops available for one year to the U.S-led campaign.