Germany readies 3,900 troops for war on terrorism

Associated Press WriterBERLIN (AP) -- Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder offered up to 3,900 troops for the U.S. war on terrorism Tuesday, backing up Germany's pledge of solidarity with the United States.

Schroeder said Germany was reacting to a U.S. request for military aid and was ready to offer it.

The request includes help in combating nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; medical services; special forces; air transport and naval forces to protect shipping lanes, Schroeder told a news conference. Specific decisions on deployment would have to be made by parliament, he said.

He said the government's decision was made in "solidarity that I have expressed again and again" since the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

But reflecting Germany's reluctance to become embroiled in combat, Schroeder said there were no immediate plans to deploy ground troops.

"We mustn't forget that the military measures are only a part of the measures against international terrorism," Schroeder said.

He emphasized the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to hold the international coalition against terrorism together, the humanitarian mission to help Afghans, economic sanctions aimed at undermining terror networks and cooperation of secret services.

The government's proposal to parliament would initially limit authority to deploy German troops to one year, Schroeder said, emphasizing however that the year did not reflect any estimate that the campaign would be over by then.

"I cannot say how the campaign against international terrorism will last," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Schroeder informed leaders of political parties after a meeting of the national security council, the German government's highest body in times of crisis.

"It's now about putting solidarity with the Americans into practice," said Friedrich Merz, parliamentary leader of the main opposition Christian Democrats.

Schroeder's cabinet is to consider the U.S. request Wednesday and parliament could approve a German deployment next week, Merz said.

One of the internationally respected parts of Germany's arsenal is a fleet of armored vehicles equipped to detect chemical and biological warfare and warn other troops of their presence. Schroeder said they were included in the German offer.

Guido Westerwelle, a leader of the small opposition Free Democratic Party who was among those briefed by Schroeder, said he sees "no alternative for Germany."

"No country is neutral in the international battle against terrorism, and that includes Germany," he told reporters outside the chancellery in Berlin. "We are threatened too and that is why we must defend ourselves against terrorism."