In These New Times

20th January, 2009

BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives called on Tuesday for the establishment of a “contact group” of nations, including Iran, that would develop a new political strategy for stabilizing Afghanistan.

In a paper on transatlantic cooperation published to coincide with the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. president, foreign policy experts from Merkel’s conservative bloc in parliament urged a new approach to Afghanistan.

They said an increase in troops, which Obama has advocated, would not be sufficient to address the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, saying a political strategy was also necessary.

“Given the lack of an international consultation forum (on Afghanistan), an international contact group that is legitimized by the UN Security Council, should carry out such an initiative,” the paper reads.

“Alongside the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, representatives of the EU, Afghanistan and its neighbors should be part of this group,” it continues.

Andreas Schockenhoff, one of the authors of the report, confirmed that the reference to Afghanistan’s neighbors was meant to include both Iran and Pakistan.

“Such an initiative, that would include Iran, would benefit if it came to direct talks between Washington and Tehran,” Schockenhoff said in comments released by his office.

The paper, while not endorsed by Merkel, was written by some of her key allies in parliament and likely reflects her views.

A similar idea for a “contact group” to coordinate international strategy in Afghanistan was proposed by former French President Jacques Chirac in 2006, but was not supported by Washington.

European nations are bracing for demands from the Obama administration that they do more in Afghanistan, but Germany is reluctant to send more troops and believes talks on a new strategy for stabilizing the country are the main priority.

In contrast to President George W. Bush, Obama has said he is open to talks with Iran, a step Germany has welcomed.

(Writing by Noah Barkin; Editing by Dominic Evans)