Germans Blame Terrorists for Attack

BERLIN —  Germany on Saturday blamed terrorists for killing four of its soldiers and wounding 29 others in a suicide attack in Afghanistan.

“Based on what we have so far been able to determine, terrorist forces opposed to peace and stability in Afghanistan carried out this cowardly and devious attack,” German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said in a statement.

“These sorts of attacks are aimed at undermining the peace process in [a] country that has been ravaged by 20 years of war,” he said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families.... “

German Defense Minister Peter Struck said at a news conference that the attack occurred about 7:50 a.m. local time when a convoy, including a bus with 33 soldiers, left a camp warehouse heading to the airport. A car loaded with explosives hit the bus.

“Every possible measure has been taken for the protection of our soldiers.... Nevertheless, there is no complete security concerning this mission,” Struck said.

White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo said President Bush called Schroeder with a message of sympathy. “The president and Chancellor Schroeder reinforced their determination to continue to combat terrorism,” Mamo said.

Relations between the Bush administration and Schroeder have been strained for months. When the German chancellor campaigned for reelection, he condemned the president’s policies toward Iraq, and Germany joined France in opposing the U.S.-led invasion.

But Bush and Schroeder spoke briefly during last week’s G-8 summit, and their conversation was said to be friendly.

Germany reluctantly agreed earlier this year to enter a joint command with the Dutch to lead a multinational peacekeeping force of 5,000 troops in Afghanistan. Sending German troops abroad, even in peacekeeping missions, is a sensitive political issue for a nation that since World War II has espoused pacifism.

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Staff writer Mark Fineman contributed from Washington.