Posted on 01/08/2004 9:31:47 AM PST by knighthawk
DUTCH Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende arrived in Iraq today on a surprise visit to Dutch troops stationed there, the Netherlands Government Information Service (RVD) told AFP.
"He has arrived and will pay a visit to the soldiers," RVD spokesman Gerard van der Wulp said.
The visit was not announced earlier for security reasons. The Dutch have 1200 troops in southern Iraq as part of the US-led multinational force.
The snap visit is intended to boost morale among Dutch troops.
"We want to show the soldiers that we are thinking of them and that the Netherlands feels their work in Iraq is very important," Van der Wulp said.
Balkenende will only visit the Dutch troops stationed in Al Muthanna province and operating under British command and not venture further into Iraq.
After meeting the soldiers, the prime minister will return to the Netherlands later today, Van der Wulp added.
Balkenende's surprise visit comes days after British Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a snap visit to British troops in southern Iraq.
| Rank | Location | Receipts | Donors/Avg | Freepers/Avg | Monthlies | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | Armed Forces - Pacific | 10.00 |
1 |
10.00 |
|
|
10.00 |
1 |
Thanks for donating to Free Republic!
Move your locale up the leaderboard!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.