Germany said anticipating military deployment in Africa

BERLIN, Feb 28, 2004 (dpa) — Germany is anticipating military deployment in African trouble spots, according to a published report.

The report in Tagesspiegel am Sonntag newspaper, set for publication Sunday, quotes Defence Minister Peter Struck as saying he is prepared for such missions under the umbrella of United Nations, NATO or European Union peacekeeping missions.

“Of course Germany has special responsibilities on the European continent,” Struck is quoted as saying.

“But that also goes for Africa. There, too, we have responsibilities,” he said.

“Terrorists can filter into Europe via North Africa,” he pointed out.

At present, some 450 Bundeswehr troops are taking part in the Operation Enduring Freedom on the Horn of Africa. In addition, two soldiers serve as U.N. military observers in Ethiopia.

Elsewhere, some 1,000 German troops have been deployed in Afghanistan.