The opposition in the UK has called for a withdrawal of the roughly 25,000 British soldiers currently based in Germany.

Shadow Defense Secretary Dr. Liam Fox has told The Daily Telegraph newspaper this would help the British military commit more resources to "expeditionary roles" around the world, like the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.

"What is not possible is for Britain to try to do everything," Fox said. "It's clear that things as they are cannot continue. We need some change."

The British troops currently stationed in Germany - spread across four garrisons in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony - arrived at the end of World War II as occupying forces and stayed during the Cold War as part of NATO's defense strategy against a possible Soviet ground invasion.

Britain is Europe's largest contributor of troops to the mission in Afghanistan, with many of its 9,000 soldiers stationed in more dangerous areas of the country. If Britain is to increase its presence in Afghanistan, Fox says it will need help in other areas.

"If other countries are willing to take up roles in continental defense, that leaves Britain and France able to take on expeditionary roles. Finding a more creative diplomatic solution in NATO will be a priority for an incoming Conservative government.”

"Clear constitutional reasons"

Fox also offered a lifeline to European countries like Germany whose constitution or history makes it difficult to sign up for a full combat role in Afghanistan. The German constitution stipulates that the country's military should only be used for self-defense or peacekeeping, meaning that most of the over 4,300 German troops are stationed in relatively safe parts of the country.

"Much as people regard it as a great political sport to be constantly berating our allies on what they do and don't do in Afghanistan, it's more important that we have more effective social burden sharing so we can be freed up from some responsibilities."

"We need to be clear that there are constitutional and political reasons why some NATO countries will not be able to do the same amount when it comes to expeditionary warfare."

Fox suggested that other NATO nations might be better suited to the peaceful mission on German soil, thus freeing up the British army to commit more in Afghanistan. Ultimately, he said, NATO will work best if its members take on tasks they are "100 percent willing to carry out."

Fox's suggestion is part of his Conservative party's planned restructuring of foreign and security policy, to be implemented if it comes out on top in Britain's next general election.

The mission in Afghanistan is not very popular amongst the British people, but Fox said that unilaterally pulling out of the country would be a huge mistake.

"If, in a UN sanctioned mission, carried out by NATO, Britain were to unilaterally pull out, where does that leave Britain as a strategic partner in the future? Where does that leave us? If you want to be in the third division, that's the way to go about it."


msh/Reuters/dpa/AP
Editor: Andreas Illmer