Germany to Withdraw Anti-terror Troops if US Attacks Iraq: Defense Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 31, 2002

Germany to Withdraw Anti-terror Troops if US Attacks Iraq: Defense Minister

Germany would withdraw its anti-terror reconnaissance tanks and soldiers from Kuwait if the United States attacks Iraq, German Defense Minister Peter Struck said.

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Germany would withdraw its anti-terror reconnaissance tanks and soldiers from Kuwait if the United States attacks Iraq, German Defense Minister Peter Struck said.

Germany would immediately get back the six "Fox" reconnaissancetanks used to scout atomic, biological and chemical weapons and 52German soldiers stationed in Kuwait if there would be any possibility that they could be dragged into a war with Iraq, Struck was quoted by the Berliner Zeitung newspaper on Friday.

The tanks and soldiers have been stationed in Kuwait to serve the Enduring Freedom operation led by the United States aimed at combating international terrorism.

A strike by the United States without UN mandate is "difficult to be justified by international law," said the minister.

He reiterated that Washington's war plans were "an adventure," warning that a strike would have "massive political, perhaps also military impacts" on the Middle East and "massive negative impacts" on the global economy.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder expressed doubts on Thursday that Washington would hold serious negotiations with its allies before taking actions.

Serious negotiations could not only be about "how" and "when" the attack would be started but first should also be about "if it should even be done," the German leader told a local newspaper.

If the Americans take actions without consulting the international community and its NATO allies, it would have to dealwith the consequences of the war alone, he warned.

Schroeder has repeatedly objected US plans on Iraq and excludedany form of German participation in such an attack.

The remarks by Struck and Schroeder came after US Vice President Dick Cheney said earlier this week that Saddam Hussein should be toppled even if weapons inspectors were let in.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer earlier also criticizedUS stance on Iraq, saying it was "very risky" and "dangerous."

It is of great importance that the UN resolution on weapons inspection in Iraq be implemented, said Fischer.

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