By Andrew L. Jaffee

Revelations that the German navy “provided escort protection for American and British warships” may be a scandal to the Bundestag’s left-wing opposition, but not to the ruling coalition. The majority just voted to continue supporting the Iraq war effort. From Deutsche Welle:

The German government has admitted being indirectly involved in the Iraq war by having its navy escort American and British warships. On Friday, Germany’s parliament voted to continue its navy presence in the region.

On numerous occasions, as the war in Iraq got underway, the German navy provided escort protection for American and British warships, German news agency DPA reported. …

Germany’s parliament voted Friday to continue its military support of “Operation Enduring Freedom,” as the US military has named its fight against terror. …

Escorting warships through the area was not covered by the German parliament’s mandate, said Paul Schäfer of the Left Party.

“With these new revelations as a backdrop, the government must immediately terminate the Bundeswehr mission at the Horn of Africa,” Schäfer said.

Any other action would further support the occupying forces in Iraq and the violence and chaos there, Shäfer said. The Left Party and the Greens voted against Friday’s decision to prolong the German military’s involvement in Operation Enduring Freedom. …