German gov't gives green light for Afghanistan troop increase
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Feb 9, IRNA -- The German government has approved plans to boost its troop size in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 5,350, a chancellery spokesman told the press here Tuesday.
The decision of the center-right cabinet has yet to be authorized by the German parliament.
Under the new Afghan mandate, around 500 of those troops are to be dispatched directly to join the 4,500-strong German military force contingent, based mostly in northern Afghanistan and Kabul as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
In addition, some 350 soldiers would be maintained as a "flexible reserve", to be used to provide extra security in political events like the parliamentary election, scheduled for fall.
Germany plans also to raise the number army and police instructors in the war-stricken from 280 to 1,400.
Meanwhile, Berlin is to double its development and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan.
Germany is to allocate around 430 million euros until 2013 to improve infrastructure, education and job opportunities.
Furthermore, the German government is to earmark 10 million euros every year for a Taliban reintegration program.
The Afghanistan military mission is extremely unpopular among Germans, especially in the aftermath of the September 4, 2009 NATO bombing in Kunduz which killed and injured dozens of mostly civilians.
Berlin's political damage-control in the aftermath of the Kunduz massacre failed miserably, leading to the sacking of two leading military officials.
The rising death toll of German soldiers in Afghanistan last year has also had a rofound impact on public opinion.
German military deaths in Afghanistan were reportedly up in 2009 compared with a year ago.
Five soldiers died in the war-hit country last year, two more than 2008.
OT**1412
End News / IRNA / News Code 953833
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