Opposing warlords clash in Afghanistan's Faryab province
GERMANY, NETHERLANDS MIGHT WITHDRAW FROM AFGHAN ISAF
Both Germany and the Netherlands said on 21 February they might pull their troops out of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan if tensions in Iraq spark anti-Western sentiment, RFE/RL reported the same day. German Defense Minister Peter Struck said his country might withdraw its forces if a war in Iraq escalates tensions in Kabul, the report added. Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman Bart Jochems said his country also has plans to withdraw its troops if anti-Western sentiment threatens troops in Kabul, where the ISAF operates. Germany and the Netherlands took over command of the ISAF from Turkey on 10 February (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 10 February 2003). On 9 February, Struck said German troops serving with the ISAF would remain in Afghanistan even in the event of a war in Iraq (see "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report," 13 February 2003). AT
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