Danish troops in Iraq to stay on

[Winston]

You're welcome.

Update on the story;

The government's decision to prolong the troops' presence has a solid backing in advance in the Danish Parliament.

In addition, opposition parties to the left of the government say they also favour an extension, and are even willing to send additional troops, but on the condition that a fixed date of withdrawal be set in mid-2006.

Whether the government will seek a broad agreement with the wider opposition parties remains to be seen. I think it's most likely that they will just go with their own majority backing and extend for 8 months without setting a withdrawal date, as that would be consistent with previous statements from the Prime Minister to the effect that Denmark will stay on in Iraq as long as there is a need for it, and the Iraqis request it.

[MOBIUS]

Re: Danish troops in Iraq to stay on

Originally posted by Winston
Danish troops in Iraq to stay on

...far longer than they expected!

(you missed that bit out...)

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


Haven't you ever wondered why Denmark is shaped like a butt-plug? It's cuz they're up our ass.

LOL

Brilliant!

[VetLegion]

Winston, I'm not buying it. How come governments all over Europe can't sell the "bring democracy to Iraq" story to the people, but in Denmark they can? It's awfully weird.

When it's about the "new Europe", one can understand. Did Denmark have casaulties in Iraq btw.?

[Shi Huangdi]

Maybe Danes care about the Iraqi people, and they realize that coalition forces are needed to fight the insurgents until the Iraqi army is ready to fight the insurgents on it's own?

[Lancer]

What Shi said.

[BlackCat]

One reason is that there isn't much kneejerk anti-americanism here. Not that we are specially pro-american - there has been a couple of times where US hasn't been that happy with us.

That combined with a habit of independent thinking amongst common people make it easier.

[Winston]

Well VetLegion, the democracy and regime change angle has been at the forefront of the debate the entire time here, ever since the decision was made to join the coalition in early 2003. There has been very little "window dressing" about it so to speak, and the majority of Danes don't feel misled or cheated into anything about the engagement.

Our Prime Minister has pushed hard to promote the idea of even small countries playing a part in promoting internationally the values and ideals they find important.

Another result of this approach was Denmark's determined effort to gain a two-year seat in the UN Security Council, which they will hold until the end of 2006, and where they will further try to influence things.

It is not exclusively reserved for big countries to play the game of geo-politics. Even small states should try to make a difference whereever they can. Sometimes by supporting great powers whose views they sympathise with, sometimes by taking initiatives of their own. But always by being willing to take action when needed, and not just issue declarations.

Edit: I'm not sure about Danish casualties in Iraq. I'm fairly certain there haven't been any in open combat, but this is to be taken with reservation, as I'm not really up to date on that side of it.

[Riesstiu IV]

Mmmm... Danish Pastries

[Fake Boris]

Denmark is a fascist country.

[VetLegion]

It is not exclusively reserved for big countries to play the game of geo-politics. Even small states should try to make a difference whereever they can. Sometimes by supporting great powers whose views they sympathise with, sometimes by taking initiatives of their own. But always by being willing to take action when needed, and not just issue declarations.

Hmm, I do agree with that completely

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by BlackCat
One reason is that there isn't much kneejerk anti-americanism here.

Why? I mean, yeah, the question is strange, but at the very least the US is poised to be spat on simply by being the world's top dog. Couple that with the hillbilly image of George Bush and latent anticapitalism that dominates much of Europe and other propaganda we are being fed -- and you have a case. What in hell are Danish lefties and youth doing? How can youth be pro-American??

Did Americans do something special for Denmark in her history? I can't think of anything...

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Denmark is a fascist country.

lemme see

Elections at least every fourth year

Organised suppression of people with different political opinions - nope

Ditto based upon race - nope

Ditto based upon sexual preference - nope

Miltaristic - nope

Ordnung muss sein - nope

Suppression of free speech - nope

No kneejerk antiamericanism - no... Ahh , I see, yes, we are a fascist country.

[Lancer]

By sticking up for democracy in Iraq you face the ire of all these lefties and get called fascist. Go figure.

[VetLegion]

Lancer - the American who was lied to about WMD and doesn't care about it.