Bulgarian Troops Refuse to Go to Iraq

AP ^ | Jan 2, 2003

[optimistically_conservative]

·	3 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq Attacks AP - 1 hour, 47 minutes ago

·	A Daily Look at Iraq U.S. Military Deaths AP - 1 hour, 54 minutes ago

·	Transfer of Power to Iraqis Scheduled washingtonpost.com - 2 hours, 27 minutes ago

Special Coverage

Between 25 and 30 soldiers of the second Bulgarian contingent, due to leave for Iraq in early January to replace the troops there now, have decided not to go on the mission, said Gen. Nikolai Kolev, the army chief of staff. The withdrawals would not affect Bulgaria's mission in Iraq, he added.

All soldiers in Bulgaria's Iraqi missions have volunteered to take part.

Bulgaria, a staunch supporter of the U.S. military campaign in Iraq, last August sent a 485-soldier light infantry battalion to Iraq.

Some of the replacement soldiers changed their minds after five of their countrymen were killed a week ago in a blitz of four suicide car bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars that blasted coalition military bases and the Iraqi governor's office.

The troops who withdrew will have to refund the costs of their training and medical examinations, Kolev said.

Government officials have said that Bulgaria will remain a firm member of the U.S.-lead coalition, despite the deaths.

"Keeping our military contingent in Iraq is a question of principle," Prime Minister Simeon Saxcoburggotski said earlier this week.

[sarasmom]

I guess the NCOs in Bulgaria dont just shoot their cowards.
?sarcasm//
In any given mlitary operation, a few will decline to honor their sworn oaths due to personal cowardice.
I fail to see anything newsworthy about that.

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[optimistically_conservative]

In any given mlitary operation, a few will decline to honor their sworn oaths due to personal cowardice.

That's true.

I fail to see anything newsworthy about that.

Actually, what I found newsworthy was that the entire 485-man contingent there now are volunteers for this mission, basically they said, "I want to go."

I'm not sure what percentage of the replacements these backouts are, but it looks like Bulgaria is still able to find volunteers.

[sarasmom]

They have tasted freedom.
They want to preserve it for their family and friends.
I don't see that as odd at all.
I consider that a normal human reaction.
But I am just an almost-white-trash-redneck USA veteran, so what do I know about freedom, and it's cost?

[BenLurkin]

I like your take on it.

There is another aspect, IMO however. In every society there is a cadre of military professionals who who always gladly step up to serve in a combat zone with or without reference to the nobility of the given cause.

[A. Pole]

The troops who withdrew will have to refund the costs of their training and medical examinations, Kolev said.

They will never be able to pay for it. Bulgarian incomes are too low. So those who still "volunteer" to go, will do it out of fear of financial ruin. Way to go!

[optimistically_conservative]

So those who still "volunteer" to go, will do it out of fear of financial ruin.

Let's see if I understand your logic. 400 Bulgarian sodiers are no longer volunteering out of professionalism or patriotism because 30 (for unknown reasons, probably fear) decided they no longer want to go and will have to reimburse the government for their additional training.

You have no understanding of the military profession.