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Kabul's Helping Hand

May 9, 2002

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder spent his first-ever visit to Kabul Thursday inspecting German troops and exploring investment opportunities in the rebuilding nation.

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The security situation in Afghanistan is rated as tense by the German governmentImage: AP

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder made his first-ever visit to Kabul on Thursday to check up on German peacekeepers taking part in the international force guarding Afghanistan's capital city.

"He wants to get an impression of how the international troops are working together and get an idea on the ground of the dangers they face," a government official said.

Schröder was invited to Afghanistan by interim leader Hamid Karsai, who visited Germany in March. During his visit, the two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to support the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The two plan to meet again this time around after Schröder inspects the 1,200-strong German Bundeswehr contingent stationed in the country.

Germany, which enjoyed a long-lasting friendship with Afghanistan before the Taliban, is one of the country's largest sponsors. Earlier this year, Schröder's government approved more than 79 million euro in aid to rebuild the war-torn country.

Further evidence of Germany's interest in rebuiding the country, came in the form of the 10 businessmen who accompanied the Chancellor on his trip - among them, the head of Hochtief construction company and a Siemens board member. The group was due to visit a girls’ school and a German-funded police officer academy.

Business will be the focus of Schröder's trip, said Deutsche Welle correspondent Dieter Hermann.

"Afghanistan hopes there will be German investment in the near future to bring up business," Hermann told DW-TV.

Free media

Among those accompanying Schröder are Deutsche Welle’s director general, Erik Bettermann and Franz Beckenbauer, vice president of the German Soccer Federation.

Erik Bettermann
Image: DW

Bettermann (photo) is in Afghanistan to stress the importance of promoting free media.

He will be signing a contact between the Deutsche Welle and Afghan TV. The exclusive cooperation between Germany and the Afghan Information Ministry will bring Deutsche Welle television to Afghanistan in both Dari and Pashtu.

Franz Beckenbauer - Fussball WM 2006
Image: AP

Former national soccer player and head of Germany's Soccer Association Beckenbauer (photo) is in Afghanistan to promote the need of sports facilities in the country. He will meet with the Afghan education minister and announced he will pay for a proper soccer field for Kabul.

"The rebuilding of sports activities is something that is pyschologically very important for the people. The effect of such an internationally-known sports figure on the youth of the country shouldn’t be underestimated," a German official said.

German support

Germany has pledged 10 million euros and has donated 48 police vehicles for the creation of a 25,000-strong civilian police force badly needed in Afghanistan.

Germany is also taking part in preparations for the Loya Jirga, or great assembly, which will work on setting up a government system based on democratic principles in Afghanistan.

From Kabul, the German Chancellor will be travelling to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, where he will meet President Islam Karimov, before returning to Germany.