Bundestag approves extension of Atalanta's mandate
(B2) The German Bundestag approved, on Thursday (10 May), the extension of the European anti-piracy operation (Eunavfor Atalanta) for one year, until May 2013 - and not until November 2014, as provided for in the decision European. They also approved the reinforcement of its action allowing to go " track down pirate logistics depots, along a two kilometer wide strip of Somalia's coastline, by air ". A vote obtained by a small majority - and not as in previous renewals by a large majority. The vote took place by roll call: 305 deputies voted for, 206 against, and 59 abstentions. The Social Democrats, led by Gernot Erler, voted against, believing that this extension of the mandate made it dependent on air resources. A counter-resolution by Alliance 90/The Greens to drop the term extension failed to win a majority; the extension is a "high risk" operation, defends Frithjof Schmidt. For Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, it is clear “no German or European soldier will enter Somali soil”. NB: this approval is a formality for the entry into force of the more robust operation plan, allowing intervention on Somali beaches.
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