No German Army Deployment in Southern Afghanistan

Social Democratic Party (SPD) whip Peter Struck says he rejects any escalation of German military participation in the southern areas of Afghanistan despite Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States.

Struck is proceeding on the assumption that Obama will request more assistance from NATO and the Europeans in the region than previously. The former Defense Minister made it clear, however, that there were limits. In an interview with the newspaper Bild am Sonntag he said, “We’ve already sent 1000 additional troops to Afghanistan and are prepared to provide AWACS early warning aircraft with German crews as well.”

He rejected a possible deployment of German troops to the southern areas of Afghanistan even though Obama might request it. “I would vigorously oppose such a deployment. Obama’s election has nothing to do with it,” Struck said.

The SPD whip also doesn’t think the newly elected President will be capable of fulfilling the expectations of his European supporters. “Every President can change the world, for the worse as in George Bush’s case, or for the better. But the hopes and wishes Obama is expected to fulfill are too great. Every President’s first priority must be America first.”