Germany, U.S. to boost cooperation in Afghan military actions

BERLIN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Germany and U.S. said on Wednesday that two countries will cooperate more closely in later military actions in Afghanistan.

General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan praised Germany as a "critical partner in bringing peace to the people of Afghanistan" in a joint press briefing with German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Guttenberg said more U.S. troops would be deployed in northern Afghanistan, together with them U.S. will send combat and medical helicopters there.

Those helicopters will also serve the need of German army, who is currently stationed there, he said.

Germany also awarded the country's Gold Cross medal to 14 U.S. troops for their bravery in helping bring wounded German soldiers to safety place during the fight with Taliban on Wednesday. General McChrystal accepted the medals after talk with Guttenberg.

Germany currently has some 4,500 troops in Afghanistan for the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, the third largest foreign forces stationed there.

During Last two weeks, seven German soldiers were killed and thirteen others injured during Taliban ambush in northern Afghanistan. It has aroused great debates in Germany about whether German troops have been properly equipped and trained in an increasingly dangerous mission.