Germany: Security command transfer to Afghans should begin in 2010

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Source: DPA

Berlin - A transfer of responsibility for security in Afghanistan from NATO-led forces to local authorities should begin this year, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was quoted as saying Saturday. "At the Afghanistan conference in London we should be working towards beginning the hand-over process for security responsibility from 2010 on," Westerwelle said in an interview with the Focus news magazine.

"It's about the beginning of a process which has an exit strategy for our soldiers at its end," he said.

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Germany, with up to 4,500 troops in the north of Afghanistan, has the third-largest NATO contingent there, but has so far resisted calls to make a troop commitment to augment US President Barack Obama's plan to send an additional 30,000 soldiers.

According to recent opinion polls, up to three quarters of the German population are against the country's involvement in the Afghan conflict.

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/301795,germany-security-command-transfer-to-afghans-should-begin-in-2010.html

[shadowknows69]

1. Another coalition of the dwindling?

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2. Seems to be. nt

[IndianaGreen]

4. Up to three quarters of Germans are against the war in Afghanistan

Germany will cut their loses while we continue in our foolish pursuit of an impossible victory.

[Vidar]

3. Germany's brighter than the US. How unusual!