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Tracking the Emerging Beast Power
German armed forces cross line to
new era
Business Day - published Oct 2006
BERLIN — Germany adopted the most radical restructuring of its forces in
45 years yesterday, paving the way for more German peacekeepers to serve
across the world.
The German cabinet endorsed the 133-page policy paper to create a
rapid-reaction Bundeswehr.
German soldiers could be deployed in domestic antiterrorist missions and
play a greater role in international military operations under the new
defence policy.
| Germany adopted the most
radical restructuring of its forces in 45 years yesterday,
paving the way for more German peacekeepers to serve across the
world. |
The white paper, Germany’s security policy and the future of the
Bundeswehr, foresees that “a united Germany has an important role to
play in the future shaping of Europe and further afield”.
“Transatlantic relations remain the cornerstone of Germany’s and
Europe’s common security,” the document says, while at the same time
stressing Germany’s commitment to multilateralism. The review, the first
since 1994, was prompted by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
It says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) “remained the
strongest anchor of Germany’s defence and security policy” and it
underscores the role of the European Union (EU) as “a recognized player
in crisis management”.
“Europe has created the conditions to take on a greater responsibility
for global security and thus contribute to a world that is more secure,”
it says.
There are about 255000 troops in the Bundeswehr, about 55000 of them
conscripts.
| “Europe has created the conditions to take on a greater responsibility
for global security and thus contribute to a world that is more secure,”
it says. |
Germany has about 10,000 soldiers serving in Afghanistan, Lebanon, the
Balkans and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The policy paper said defending Germany against a foreign threat
remained the core function of the armed forces.
Another role was for them to assist Germany’s allies if they come under
attack.
The deployment of troops on domestic security missions is one of the
most controversial aspects of the document, which was revised several
times before gaining the approval of the cabinet.
Germany has strict constitutional limits for deploying its armed forces
at home — a reaction to massive abuses under the Third Reich — and the
new plans could require a change to the constitution.
Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung said on the eve of the paper’s release
that the difference between internal and external security was now so
fluid that both elements had to be better “interlocked”.
“If the police are no longer able to guarantee security, (deployment of
the armed forces) is necessary to ensure the protection of our
citizens,” he said.
While also calling for EU capabilities to be built up in the security
sphere, Jung stressed that the EU and NATO should not be allowed to
enter into any kind of competition.
Opposition parties criticized the new concept.
The Free Democratic Party’s defence spokeswoman, Birgit Homburger,
called it a “stubborn determination to stick to conservative ideological
demands”.
Petra Pau of the Left Party accused the government of using “a war of
attrition” to get its way in revamping the role of the armed forces.
Sapa-DPA
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