Germany to Send Troops to Somalia

BONN In a historic reversal of policy, German Chancellor HelmutKohl announced today that he plans to order 1,500 armed troops toSomalia to help with the United Nations-sponsored relief operation.

Germany has previously chosen to stay out of internationalmilitary missions. The explanation has been that its constitutionprevents its armed forces from deploying on non-North Atlantic TreatyOrganization turf.

Friedrich Bohl, Kohl's top aide, said the U.S.-led humanitarianmission in Somalia is not covered by the constitution as long asthere is no actual fighting going on. Germany's troops are to helpdistribute food.

The United States last week sent in the first …