Germany To Cut Troops And Close Bases To Save L18bn

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-14-2004 | Kate Connolly

[blam]

Germany to cut troops and close bases to save £18bn

By Kate Connolly in Berlin
(Filed: 14/01/2004)

Germany's defence minister, Peter Struck, ordered drastic cuts in the military and slashed defence spending by £18 billion yesterday.

He said changes since the Cold War and a government austerity drive were behind the decision to reduce numbers by 35,000 to 250,000 and to close 111 bases in the next eight years.

His decision led to a debate about the future of mandatory military service, a feature of German life since the country was unified under Bismarck in 1870.

Army conscription in Germany could be axed 'within the year' Mr Struck insisted no changes would be made before elections in 2006.

He added: "Those who want to suspend military service must provide a lot of additional funds to pay the people we would need to replace the draft soldiers."

But people close to the government said the days of conscription were numbered. Angelika Beer, the leader of the Green party, the junior partner in the government coalition, said she expected a cabinet decision "within the year".

The family ministry also said it would present proposals tomorrow on the future of non-military national service, which is available to those who refuse to wear uniform.

Every year about 95,000 young men who do not want to work in the military take up posts in the social field.

The umbrella organisation for charities and social schemes said it was braced for the end of subscription by 2008, saying the move would increase the cost of employing charity workers by 37 per cent.

Conscription is held in high regard in Germany where, because of the militaristic past, it is viewed as an appropriate way of keeping the army in check. Traditionally, conscripts have carried out their service close to home in order to nurture the sense of a citizens' army protecting the homeland.

But Germany has come under increasing pressure from Nato partners to scrap the system, which is deemed inefficient and unreliable in dealing with more modern demands such as crisis intervention and peacekeeping.

Demands on the army are greater than at any time since the end of the Second World War. It is involved in more foreign operations than any other country apart from the United States, including Afghanistan and the Balkans.

Mr Struck's announcement demonstrated in particular his commitment to channelling more money into producing higher calibre career soldiers whose new focus would be international missions.

The military will be divided into three categories. The 35,000-strong "intervention forces" will be available for multinational operations; "stabilisation forces" will have 70,000 peacekeeping soldiers and "support forces" will train new troops and be available for other operations.

Mr Struck denied reports that under the cost-cutting drive the government was reducing its order of 180 Eurofighter aircraft, which Britain is also buying.

But the defence ministry intends to streamline orders for naval helicopters and delay buying other equipment, including 10,000 vehicles.

Local councils attacked the plans to close bases. They said this would have a detrimental effect on their economies, particularly after last week's announcement that the United States is to close bases in Germany and withdraw thousands of its troops.

[gaspar]

I was just listening to a UPI editor (a Brit) wax prophetic on the downward path of United States history as it was slowly being isolated from the rest of the world. In counterpoint, he noted the increased inverest Europe was showing in enhancing its own internal defence capability. If Germany is an example, Europe is dead.

[Old Sarge]

The once proud German people. Now emasculated Socialists.

There but for the grace of God go we.

[Malcolm]

Good! The less of an European military there is, the more ours will count. And to the above poster, I'm overjoyed that the US is cutting a distinction between the way we view the world and react to it vs the way Euroweenies do. Military use needs to remain an option in today's world. Not the only option, nor the first, but one just the same. The fact that the arrogant Europeans refuse to acknowledge that is not our problem, nor should it influence us to do likewise.....

[11B3]

"Conscription is held in high regard in Germany where, because of the militaristic past, it is viewed as an appropriate way of keeping the army in check."

In this nation, we have the 2nd Amendment, which is designed to keep the entire government in check. The real litmus test of whether or not a nation is "free" is the ability to own a firearm for self defense as well as keeping tyranny from running rampant.

[zeugma]

Sounds like a cue on our part to pull out of germany. If they aren't willing to protect themselves, why should we do it for them?

[Prodigal Son]

It's interesting that on this thread you get people more or less criticizing the Germans for cutting the national conscription program and on this other thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1057412/posts

You get people criticizing the ones that want to keep it.

You guys should hook up and argue over this one. It would interesting.

[RJL]

Germany's defence minister, Peter Struck, ordered drastic cuts in the military and slashed defence spending by £18 billion yesterday.

The Americans are pulling most of their troops out of Germany and the Germans are drastically cutting military spending.

Who is going to protect Germany, France?

[pepsionice]

Protect what? No one is going to invade Europe. The Russians are a joke and couldn't even take Lictenstein if they wanted too. Its silly for any of these major European countries to spend the amount of money they are spending...on defense. They all have begun to realize this. South Korea and Japan have a different situation and actually require a build-up situation. But most of Europe, Canada, Mexico, and all of Latin America....ought to cut back and save their money for infrasture projects.