French, Germans not on front line
Nov 17, 2006 13:32:40 GMT -5
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 17, 2006 13:32:40 GMT -5
Here's only part of the problem.
French, Germans not in front lines
QUEBEC (CP) - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is urging the alliance's parliamentarians to lean on their governments to remove restrictions on troops operating in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a meeting in Quebec City, he said so-called national caveats - limitations put on the missions soldiers can undertake - are understandable, but ultimately divisive. There is a growing rift in the military alliance as Canadian, American, British and Dutch forces in southern Afghanistan bear the brunt of heavy fighting against Taliban insurgents.
The French, German and Italian forces patrol relatively quiet sectors in the north, but are also under self-imposed limitations that keep them out of combat operations.
Some forces are not allowed to patrol 70 kilometres beyond their bases - meaning soldiers can't stay outside of the wire overnight.
A report presented to the parliamentary meeting says some progress has been made in getting rid of restrictions, but not enough
I know the French military took the lead in Lebanon and Germany currently has troops committed to SFOR. I believe Italy also contributes to Lebanon. But, they're in Afghanistan for a reason. If their governments don't want them in combat operations then what are they doing there?
I think this is a viable question because the Canadian military had to field the same query only a few years ago.
Cheers.
EDIT: To be fair, I just read another column that says the Germans area also in Lebanon.
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2006/11/16/2390601-cp.html
Interesting that Canada isn't the only country that is 'tapped out."
French, Germans not in front lines
QUEBEC (CP) - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is urging the alliance's parliamentarians to lean on their governments to remove restrictions on troops operating in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a meeting in Quebec City, he said so-called national caveats - limitations put on the missions soldiers can undertake - are understandable, but ultimately divisive. There is a growing rift in the military alliance as Canadian, American, British and Dutch forces in southern Afghanistan bear the brunt of heavy fighting against Taliban insurgents.
The French, German and Italian forces patrol relatively quiet sectors in the north, but are also under self-imposed limitations that keep them out of combat operations.
Some forces are not allowed to patrol 70 kilometres beyond their bases - meaning soldiers can't stay outside of the wire overnight.
A report presented to the parliamentary meeting says some progress has been made in getting rid of restrictions, but not enough
I know the French military took the lead in Lebanon and Germany currently has troops committed to SFOR. I believe Italy also contributes to Lebanon. But, they're in Afghanistan for a reason. If their governments don't want them in combat operations then what are they doing there?
I think this is a viable question because the Canadian military had to field the same query only a few years ago.
Cheers.
EDIT: To be fair, I just read another column that says the Germans area also in Lebanon.
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2006/11/16/2390601-cp.html
Interesting that Canada isn't the only country that is 'tapped out."