Remembering the fallen
June 3, 2011
Three German soldiers killed last week during a suicide attack in the northern Afghan province of Takhar were honored during a memorial service in Hanover Friday.
Some 450 friends and family members were in attendance, along with German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere.
Speaking at the service, de Maiziere said doubting the mission in Afghanistan was "understandable," but added that "this doubt must be overcome, if we are convinced of our goals. And we are."
Demand for discussion
The memorial came after a fourth German solider was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday. On Friday a spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her "deep grief" over the death of the 23-year-old.
The deaths of four German soldiers in Afghanistan over the last nine days has shaken confidence in the mission there and prompted calls for debate about the nation's role in the conflict.
Hellmut Königshaus, parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, told the Friday edition of the daily Allgemeinen Zeitung in Mainz that inadequate provision of equipment was hindering soldiers from promptly locating and diffusing bombs.
Meanwhile, both the nation's armed forces association and the Green party have demanded a review of Berlin's military strategy in Afghanistan.
Author: Sarah Harman (dap, dpad)
Editor: Martin Kuebler