British troops could be withdrawn from Germany, says Tory MP Liam Fox

November 21, 2009 by Infowars Ireland

www.dailymail.co.uk

British troops could be withdrawn from Germany for good if the Tories win the next general election.

Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox said it was ‘no longer necessary’ to maintain the presence of more than 20,000 military personnel.

Ending the commitment would free forces to carry out vital Nato operations outside Europe, he said.

Generations of squaddies and their families have passed through Germany, but the size of the troop commitment has been scaled down since the end of the Cold War and the lifting of the Soviet threat to Western Europe.

The Army operation is now centred on Herford, near Hanover, where the 1st Armoured Division is based.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Fox signalled his determination for a ‘wholesale recasting of our foreign and defence policy’.

He wants new Nato member states from eastern and central Europe, particularly Poland, to take over Britain’s commitments and free British troops to be deployed elsewhere.

A final decision will depend on negotiations with Nato allies and on the Ministry of Defence’s ability to handle the return of so many soldiers – for whom there is currently no accommodation in the UK.

Mr Fox insisted: ‘If other countries are willing to take up roles in continental defence, that leaves Britain and France able to take on expeditionary roles’

He said: ‘Finding a more cresomeative diplomatic solution in Nato will be a priority for an incoming Conservative government.

‘Much as people regard it as a great political sport to be constantly berating our allies on what they do and don’t do in Afghanistan.

‘It’s more important that we have more effective burden-sharing so we can be freed up from some responsibilities.

‘What is not possible is for Britain to try to do everything. It’s clear that things as they are cannot continue. ‘We need change.’

Mr Fox added: ‘We need to be clear that there are constitutional and political reasons why some Nato countries will not be able to do the same amount when it comes to expeditionary warfare. Read more…