The air strikes marked Germany’s first involvement in armed conflict since the Second World War. Germans have been conscious of the heavy historic symbolism of their new role. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has proved that the country is ready to shoulder its Nato responsibilities. The Nato operation has also shown how significantly his main coalition partner, the Greens, have evolved from the radical policies of the past. Their leader, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, was once a strong critic of Nato and opposed the deployment of German forces in Bosnia. Now he has become an outspoken critic of Serbia’s treatment of the Albanian majority in Kosovo and has given his backing to the air strikes. Other members of his party, though are deeply unhappy as are the Democratic Socialists (former communists).
German newspapers have given cautious support to the attacks. “The aim of the action is definitely morally justified, but questionable in terms of international law and not backed by the UN,” declared the mass-circulation Bild.
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