Large majority of Germans oppose the mission to
Afghanistan
ABCD
Afghanistan - Four
FRG soldiers were killed and five wounded after coming under fire near Afghanistan's northern city of Baghlan on
Thursday, in a fatal incident that sent shock waves through Germany.
The recent casualties bring the total of FRG deaths in Afghanistan to 43 since Berlin sent troops to the country in 2002. Seven of the deaths have occurred in the past
week. Polls show a large majority of Germans oppose the mission to Afghanistan.
FRG has about 4,500 soldiers in northern Afghanistan, making it the third-largest foreign contingent after the US and the UK.
Following U.S. appeals to beef up FRG's presence in Afghanistan,
another 850 extra troops are now being sent to Afghanistan.
FRG Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (photo)
will dispatch heavier weapons to strengthen the
artillery.
