Preparing for Afghan Elections

With Afghanistan's first presidential elections set for October 9, German troops are actively involved in helping to maintain security in what is still very much an "unstable" country, according to German Defense Minister Peter Struck, who arrived in the northern town of Faizabad on Sunday.

A one-day visit to the headquarters of the German provisional reconstruction team (PRT), was intended to give the head of the country's armed forces an overview of the situation in the run-up to the historical poll. Although fighting continues in pockets of Afghanistan, especially in the rural provinces outside Kabul, where the Taliban continues to hold sway and local war-lords battle it out for influence, Struck was of the opinion that there was no real serious threat to the 110 German troops stationed in Faizabad.

Minister defends troops

At the same time, Struck defended the actions of the Bundeswehr soldiers during an encounter at the beginning of September, shortly after the PRT took up post in Faizabad. The German troops had been accused of failing to defend civilian aid workers who were attacked by an armed and angry crowd. Back in Germany, they were criticized for not doing enough to protect the civilian population.

Struck stressed that the soldiers had reacted appropriately. Unless specifically requested by the local Afghan police or in the case of self-defense, the Bundeswehr is prohibited from intervening in armed clashes, he said. With a view to the upcoming elections and the likelihood of escalated violence, the minister ordered more protection for the German soldiers. From now on they will be equipped with tear gas, shields and riot gear, he stated. Starting in 2005, some 40 more troops will arrive from Denmark and the Czech Republic to increase the effectiveness of the PRT.

Extension of Afghanistan mandate

On Wednesday, the German government -- without a great deal of discussion -- voted to extend the Afghanistan mandate for one more year. The current mission, which includes the deployment of troops in Kabul and Kunduz, would have run out on Oct. 13, just after the election.

Starting in 2005, Germany will build another temporary garrison south of the Afghanistan capital. A spokesman for the defense ministry said on Saturday an army patrol would travel to the town of Surobi, 60 kilometers (36 miles) outside of Kabul to discuss the parameters of the new camp with local authorities. The camp is expected to be up and running prior to next year's general elections.

With a total of 1,480 soldiers, Germany provides the largest national troop contingent within the NATO-run International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Election overshadowed by violence

The run-up to the presidential election, the first since the Taliban regime collapsed in December 2001, has been overshadowed by a growing number of terrorist attacks throughout the country, as both war-lords and remaining Taliban militants vow to disrupt the poll and even kill candidates. Many of the 18 candidates have been hesitant to campaign outside of Kabul, for fear of being targeted by the terrorists.

Earlier in the month interim President Hamid Karzai, who enjoys significant backing from the international community, barely survived an assassination attempt when his helicopter was fired on during a rare trip outside the Afghan capital.

"If top government officials are not safe, with all the privileges and facilities they have, how can we, without resources, reach 34 provinces and talk about our ideas for the future," said Sattar Sirat, one of the 18 contenders for president, in an interview with Reuters.

But the security issue does not only effect the candidates; the international peacekeepers sent to the outlying provinces are also increasingly at risk. On Saturday, a convoy of coalition and Afghan forces, who were monitoring the security situation in the southern province of Uruzgan ahead of the elections, were attacked by suspected Taliban rebels. A senior district chief was killed and two Afghan soldiers were seriously injured.