Germany says has no plans to boost Afghan AWACS force

Germany does not plan to support a request made by field commanders for more AWACS reconnaissance aircraft in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Sunday.

Westerwelle said the decision would be no surprise for allies as he had informed the top commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, of it weeks ago during a visit to Berlin.

"We made it clear to our partners early on that we will not take part, as our main focus is on local training," he said.

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