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Cabinet Approves Extension of Enduring Freedom Deployment
The German Federal Cabinet has approved extending the deployment of German Armed Forces in the anti-terror Operation Enduring Freedom. The fight against international terrorism is one of the greatest challenges for the international community. In this fight, the German Government is implementing a comprehensive set of approaches, including political measures, development policy and law enforcement, as well as military measures. Currently about 500 German troops are deployed around the Horn of Africa and in NATO operations in the Mediterranean and the Straight of Gibraltar – with up to 3,100 soldiers approved under the mandate. The extension of the deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom for a further 12 months after November 15, 2004, now goes before the German parliament. Operation Enduring Freedom was launched in November 2001 as a reaction to the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. The United Nations Security Council immediately condemned the attacks as a threat to international peace and approved the right to individual and collective self-defense. NATO then invoked Article 5, the alliance clause which states that an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all NATO members. Then on November 16, 2001, in a historic decision, the German Bundestag voted to approve the participation of German Armed Forces, with the United States and other nations, in the anti-terror coalition. Currently, German naval forces are responsible for patrolling and protecting the waters off the Horn of Africa with the goal of cutting off transport lines used to support international terrorism. October 28, 2004
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