Germans send first fighting unit to Afghanistan

By STEFAN NICOLA, UPI Germany Correspondent BERLIN, June 30 (UPI) -- Germany's first fighting division in northern Afghanistan started operating Monday, with officials in Berlin hoping the German death toll won't shoot through the roof in the coming months. Some 200 German elite soldiers Monday took over a quick reaction force manned by Norway over the past years. It's a mission that requires expertise and courage and -- this could be the big problem for the German government -- may result in more casualties for Germany in Afghanistan. Yet German officials, most notably Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung, so far have abstained from talking honestly about the Afghan mission. "The security situation has become more difficult" is Jung's boldest statement about the danger German soldiers are facing.... [read full story]