Germany is ready to send up to 3,900 troops to back the US-led military offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said in Berlin Tuesday.
He said the troops would be mainly in support roles.
The chancellor said he was responding to a request from the United States and that Washington had not asked for Germany "to participate either in air strikes or in putting in ground troops."
The decision to have troops ready is to be adopted by the cabinet on Wednesday and must still be approved by the German lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.
Schroeder said the United States had asked for five types of military hardware or troops:
-- Fuchs armored vehicles, which are capable for biological, chemical and nuclear warfare, a force of some 800 soldiers.
-- Some 250 troops to help in evacuating wounded soldiers.
-- Special forces. 100 troops.
-- Air and material transport. 500 troops.
-- Naval forces. 1,800 troops -- BERLIN, (AFP)
