Mario Pröhl, 48, hunted war criminals in the Balkans and fought the Taliban in Afghanistan. For this he was awarded the cross of honor of the Bundeswehr and various US awards.

FOCUS: According to radical right-wing incidents in the special forces command of the German armed forces and defence Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer has the unit asked to prove themselves until the end of October. What does this mean for the more than 1000 members of the KSK, which have so far served without complaint?

Mario Pröhl: probation's according to my understanding of the law only for the misconduct of a single person. The Minister demanded that probation is a criminalization of all KSK-people who have done nothing wrong.

FOCUS: How is the mood of the KSK after this Ultimatum?

Pröhl Mario Pröhl Pröhl: All the talk of a bottomless impudence of the Minister and her advisers of course. The morale of the troops will be weakened, you will always feel insecurity.

Ex-KSK soldier on penalties: "As

FOCUS: should have more to come," The scandalous 2. The company has already been dissolved.

Pröhl: A mistake! Correct, it would have been from my point of view, against the offences and misconduct of all power to proceed, but apparently were missing and, in the absence of evidence. Only in a few cases, disciplinary penalties were imposed. There should have more to come. Apparently, there's been sloppy, even in the Military shielding service, but may not, however, pay for now is the ordinary soldiers.

FOCUS: they were 17 years of command-a soldier with operations world-wide, from the Balkans to Afghanistan. Which would mean the resolution of the KSK?

Pröhl: That would be fatal for the German armed forces and Germany.

FOCUS: Why?

Pröhl: , The SFC is highly specialized, is cooperating well with the international armed forces, is recognized around the world – and has shot abroad have multiple hazards for our country. A resolution of the KSK would be the absolute wrong Signal to potential opponents.

picture-alliance / dpa The badge of the special forces command (KSK) in a beret. FOCUS: Also in the political Berlin there are a number of proponents of a KSK-resolution.

Pröhl: So, So. A resolution of the SFC, for me, is the weakness of the confession of our political and military leadership.

"In other countries, recognizing the life-threatening service"

FOCUS: you need to explain.

Pröhl: Any special forces unit in the world has experienced UPS and Downs, in the UK, France or the USA. But the population and the media are stoked by certain politicians, and, unfortunately, the German armed forces leadership against the SFC so that is probably unique. In other democratic countries, one finds recognition and respect for the often dangerous service – but in Germany, you'll be labelled in short as the extreme Right.

More: guest post by Rolf Tophoven - KSK before the end? An elite Association on probation

FOCUS: Like a soldier to deal with such allegations?

Pröhl: , The politicians and the military responsible should be ashamed of itself in the ground. They are characterless and seem to have a morbid fear of clear positioning.

FOCUS: Brigadier General Markus Kreitmayr commanded since June 2018, the KSK. How has he handled the crisis?

Pröhl: The crisis has become a crisis because, in part, unconfirmed, and false representations of mood was made. In all appeal if one had waited the better the result, and then optionally confirmed to be announced. With his brand-letter a few weeks ago to all KSK members was specific to certain types of media by razor, has managed Kreitmayr unfortunately, the public debate more to fuel.

FOCUS: How do you find his behavior?

Pröhl: of His soldiers, he protected it. This is a fatal behavior for a General. He can't lead by the current crisis. He should be replaced.

This Text is part of the new FOCUS. Want to read more from the issue 30/20, for example, "failures, bad luck and breakdowns: Kramp cart Builder's balance sheet as a Minister of defence"? The Alps - to be loved to death?

In the new FOCUS speaks to photographer Lois Hechenblaikner about the nasty side of the Alpine tourism. And the FOCUS-the authors have researched whether, and how, the Alps can be used on a sustainable basis.

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Date Of Update: 18 July 2020, 13:26