German soldiers' deaths spark calls for Afghan military review

Jun 3, 2011, 12:18 GMT

Berlin - The deaths of four German soldiers in Afghanistan over the last nine days triggered Friday calls for a new debate about Berlin's strategy in the Afghan conflict.

While Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces Hellmut Koenigshaus criticized the provision of equipment provided to German troops, both the nation's armed forces association and the Green Party demanded a review of Berlin's Afghan strategy.

In particular, Koenigshaus criticized Berlin over the long delays in procuring specially protected vehicles to assist in the clearing of explosive devices.

Along with the four soldiers killed, 12 troops have been injured in a series of attacks on German military operations in Afghanistan over the last nine days.

'The Taliban are currently launching attacks at a frightening pace,' said armed forces association chief Ulrich Kirsch. 'It is time that the federal government and parliament responded.'

Kirsch described the response of Germany's political leadership to the current situation in Afghanistan as inadequate and said the troops deserved more than just the regular message of 'keep it up.'

'Those who send German troops into war must undertake regular reviews of the principles and aims of the mission,' Kirsch said.

Green Party leader Claudia Roth also called for a debate over the operations of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, which includes Germany.

She went on to say that the current strategy had clearly not led to a stabilization of the situation in the war-torn nation.

In the meantime, Germany's small Left Party once again demanded the immediate withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan.

But speaking during a visit to New Zealand, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned that changing the present policy would not prevent attacks.

'We must continue to do everything to help the Afghans to take responsibility in their country of their country as soon as possible,' said Westerwelle.