Minister backs ex-president's remarks on German int'l military role
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Mov 9, IRNA -- German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg here Tuesday voiced strong support for comments made by former German president Horst Koehler who had said his country's global military role was aimed at preserving its economic interests abroad.
Speaking at an international security conference in Berlin, Guttenberg backed Koehler's controversial remarks who resigned in May after suggesting that as an export-oriented country, Germany should also use military force to ensure the opening of vital trade routes throughout the world.
'To this day, I am asking myself: What was so bold about this statement?,' the minister asked.
'I wished there would have been a little bid more support on this question,' he added.
Koehler stepped down from his presidential post in late May following his disputed remarks which critics argued smacked of economic imperialism.
This was the first time that a German political leader had also linked the Afghan war to the country's global economic interests.
Germany's political elite have repeatedly alleged that the Afghan military campaign was merely geared at defending the nation's security.
Thousands of German troops have been deployed throughout the world since the early 1990s, including Afghanistan, the Middle East, Horn of Africa and the Balkan region.
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