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Germany not to send troops to Iraq
Berlin, Nov 15: Germany will not send troops to Iraq, a government spokesman said today, after the European Union`s top diplomat suggested that Berlin would have to reconsider if the United Nations asked Nato for help.
Berlin, Nov 15: Germany will not send troops to Iraq, a government spokesman said today, after the European Union's top diplomat suggested that Berlin would have to reconsider if the United Nations asked Nato for help.
In talks with the EU official, Javier Solana, on Wednesday, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made "absolutely clear that there will be no German military contribution in Iraq, and thus also no deployment of troops," the spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.
Solana was quoted by the build an Sonntag weekly saying that Germany had ruled out getting involved militarily in Iraq for the moment, but not in principle.
"If Nato were to participate in the stabilization of the country at the request of the united nations, the question of military involvement comes up again for every member," Solana said.
The German government spokesman said that remark was "purely speculative."
Solana also added that there was no indication of Nato receiving such a request.
The german government opposed the war in Iraq and has refused to send troops to help stabilize the country.
But Berlin has backed UN resolutions legitimising the US-led occupation and pledged humanitarian aid, seeking to soothe strained relations with Washington.
A foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday that Germany would welcome moves to hand sovereignty back to Iraqis sooner.
In talks with the EU official, Javier Solana, on Wednesday, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made "absolutely clear that there will be no German military contribution in Iraq, and thus also no deployment of troops," the spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.
Solana was quoted by the build an Sonntag weekly saying that Germany had ruled out getting involved militarily in Iraq for the moment, but not in principle.
"If Nato were to participate in the stabilization of the country at the request of the united nations, the question of military involvement comes up again for every member," Solana said.
The German government spokesman said that remark was "purely speculative."
Solana also added that there was no indication of Nato receiving such a request.
The german government opposed the war in Iraq and has refused to send troops to help stabilize the country.
But Berlin has backed UN resolutions legitimising the US-led occupation and pledged humanitarian aid, seeking to soothe strained relations with Washington.
A foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday that Germany would welcome moves to hand sovereignty back to Iraqis sooner.
Bureau Report