Decoration and Departure

Published in Neues Deutschland
(Germany) on 13 August 2010
by René Heilig (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Ron Argentati. Edited by Patricia Simoni.
German Army Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf was just decorated. What for? Well, Afghanistan Commander U.S. General David Petraeus probably knows why he awarded his Chief of Staff the Legion of Merit. Maybe we’ll soon see leaked documents with Kasdorf’s signature on the internet, courtesy of WikiLeaks . . .

One reason for the award may well be the fact that Kasdorf is heading back to Germany to take over the position of Deputy Chief of the German Army. But the rumor is that Kasdorf’s vacancy with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) won’t be filled by another German General. Very strange. Berlin has always been careful to ensure it has kept its rightful place in defending German liberty in Afghanistan.

Abstaining from command in Afghanistan may be a composite part of the German disengagement strategy. Since it’s obvious that NATO won’t be leaving Afghanistan with flags flying but rather with its tail between its legs, nobody wants to be seen as part of that group blamed for what will effectively be a defeat for the West. No matter. The time has long since come for us to take responsibility for the civilian reconstruction of Afghanistan. Fortunately, with no eye toward medals and decorations.


Orden and out
Von René Heilig
13.08.2010

Bundeswehr-Generalleutnant Bruno Kasdorf wurde ausgezeichnet. Wofür? Nun, US-Afghanistan-Oberbefehlshaber David Patraeus wird schon wissen, wofür er seinem Chef des Stabes den »Legion of Merit«- Orden angehängt hat. Vielleicht stellt ja die Enthüllungsplattform WikiLeaks bald Dokumente mit Kasdorfs Unterschrift ins Internet ...

Ein Grund für die Ordensverleihung könnte sein, dass Kasdorf wieder nach Deutschland zurückkehrt, um hier stellvertretender Heereschef zu werden. Doch man munkelt, dass Kasdorfs ISAF-Posten in Kabul nicht von einem deutschen General ersetzt werden wird. Seltsam. Sonst hat Berlin genau darauf geachtet, einen gebührenden Kommandoplatz bei der Verteidigung unserer Freiheit am Hindukusch einzunehmen.

Abstinenz bei Kommandoposten in Afghanistan mag Bestandteil der deutschen Rückzugsstrategie sein. Da offensichtlich ist, dass die NATO das okkupierte Land nicht mit wehenden Siegesfahnen, sondern mit eingezogenem Schwanz verlassen wird, möchte man wohl nicht zu denen gehören, die an der global wirksamen Niederlage des Abendlandes Schuld haben. Egal. Es ist schon längst die Zeit gekommen, um beim zivilen Aufbau Afghanistans mehr staatliche Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Zum Glück auch ohne Aussicht auf Orden.

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