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On Visit to Kabul, Chancellor Praises German Troops for Work During Afghan Election
On a visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder praised the International Security Assistance Force for their deployment both before and during the Afghan presidential election, held October 9. It would not have been possible to provide security without the contribution of German troops in Afghanistan, Schröder said on October 11. With close to 2,200 soldiers deployed, Germany is by far the second largest contributor of forces in Afghanistan and has been so for a long time. The figures for France and Canada, the next largest contributors, together total 1,700. In addition to the troops in Kabul, Germany is leading two Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Kunduz and Faisabad. The presidential elections went off without any major security problem, the Chancellor remarked as he visited ISAF’s Camp Warehouse. “That is not only a great political success, but also a success for the entire force,” Schröder said. With the elections, he said, a “very important step on the way to more stability and democracy” in Afghanistan has been accomplished. Schröder toured the German field camp in Kabul, where he looked at technical equipment and also spoke at length with members of the German-French brigade. Schröder recognized the significant contribution of the German soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan. “I have great respect for the work of the young people here,” Schröder said. “Without their action, none of this would have been possible; it would look dreadful in this country.” While in Kabul, the Chancellor also met with Interim President Hamid Karzai and assured him of Germany’s continued support for Afghanistan. The Chancellor’s visit to Afghanistan came at the end of a six-day trip to the Asian countries India, Vietnam and Pakistan. October 11, 2004 Link
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