Germany's Defense Minister Guttenberg has revised his opinion of the Sept. 4 bombing in Kunduz and now says it was inappropriate. But a look at the NATO incident report indicates he knew that immediately upon taking office. NATO has begun amending its rules of engagement as a result of the attack, which killed dozens of civilians. At first glance, it would seem that German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg successfully managed to avoid a major crisis early in his tenure. Speaking to the German parliament last week, Guttenberg backed away from his initial support of the German-ordered, Sept. 4 bombing of two tankers in Afghanistan -- an attack which killed dozens of civilians, possibly as many as 150. Whereas he first called the attack "militarily appropriate," on Thursday he said he had now come to the conclusion that the attack had been "militarily inappropriate." He nevertheless threw his support behind Colonel Georg Klein, the German commander who had ordered the air strike.
At first glance, it would seem that German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg successfully managed to avoid a major crisis early in his tenure. Speaking to the German parliament last week, Guttenberg backed away from his initial support of the German-ordered, Sept. 4 bombing of two tankers in Afghanistan -- an attack which killed dozens of civilians, possibly as many as 150.
Whereas he first called the attack "militarily appropriate," on Thursday he said he had now come to the conclusion that the attack had been "militarily inappropriate." He nevertheless threw his support behind Colonel Georg Klein, the German commander who had ordered the air strike.
The German defense ministry has said it is negotiating a compensation package for the families of the victims of the controversial NATO airstrike ordered by a German commander in September. According to a NATO report, up to 142 people were killed in the strike, including many civilians. Christian Dienst, a defense ministry spokesman, said the German government was looking into ways to reach a settlement outside the courtroom to avoid "unnecessarily lengthy legal battles." "We will find a solution," Dienst said, adding that the defense ministry "will have to find out who is entitled to compensation based on the circumstances of the airstrike."
Christian Dienst, a defense ministry spokesman, said the German government was looking into ways to reach a settlement outside the courtroom to avoid "unnecessarily lengthy legal battles."
"We will find a solution," Dienst said, adding that the defense ministry "will have to find out who is entitled to compensation based on the circumstances of the airstrike."
