Bundestag Approves Mandate for Anti-Terror Operation

Germany's parliament approved a one-year extension of the armed forces' involvement in "Enduring Freedom" on Friday. The mandate, which will expire in mid-December 2004, was reduced by 800 soldiers. A maximum of 3,100 troops will take part in the U.S.-led mission. The numbers were pared down, since it is no longer expected that troops equipped to detect chemical and biological attacks -- some of which had been stationed in Kuwait -- will be needed. So far the Bundeswehr's mandate has not been used to its fullest extent. Only 300 German soldiers are currently stationed abroad under the aegis of the operation in Kenya and in the waters around the Horn of Africa. A year ago 1,200 troops were deployed in the mission.