Ukraine to keep troops in Iraq, may send more arms

Reuters ^ | 4/8/04

[areafiftyone]

KIEV, April 8 (Reuters) - Ukraine's Defence Ministry insisted on Thursday it had no plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq despite fierce attacks earlier this week that forced its soldiers to pull out of the southern city of Kut.

"The issue of pulling out troops is not being considered now," a spokesman said.

"The Ukrainian mission was a peacekeeping one and they (the soldiers) had only light weapons but if there is a need, we do not rule out the possibility of thinking about sending additional equipment for them."

Ukrainian troops pulled out of Kut on Wednesday after one soldier was killed in an explosion and five were injured in clashes with followers of radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Ukraine sent about 1,600 soldiers to Iraq last year in a bid to repair ties with the United States, strained over reports of illegal arms sales to Baghdad before the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Several opposition politicians have called for Ukraine to withdraw its troops.

[Dog]

"The Ukrainian mission was a peacekeeping one and they (the soldiers) had only light weapons but if there is a need, we do not rule out the possibility of thinking about sending additional equipment for them."

Message to Sadr and fellow scum:

We are going to kick your butt!

Love,

The Ukrainian Armed Forces..

[areafiftyone]

They should send more equipment for them anyways because these nutjobs will probably try and kidnap them too. Kidnapping seems to be the new trend for these dingbats!

[bushfamfan]

Spain could learn something from a country like Ukraine.

[Army Air Corps]

The Ukraine suffered over 70 years of Marxist-Leninist oppression - what are a few disorganised loons with hoods shooting blindly compared to Soviet "peace and properity." Compared to Soviet oppression, the Islamafascist are toddlers.

[Support Free Republic]

	Help us reach our target! Donate to FR Mail a check to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

[Army Air Corps]

wow! Thanks for the info. What accounts for the degradation in their forces?

[netmilsmom]

It was stated by a Polish FReeper that the Ukrainian soldiers are great! I will trust in our friends.

[EternalHope]

Their government did not cut and run.

Instead, it looks like they are embarrassed at the poor performance of their troops. It's a start.

[netmilsmom]

From ironpuppy...
>>I don't mean to say that every Ukrainian individual there is bad. In fact, a couple become very good friends. I do, however, want to make a point (emphatically) that they are not a professional military. I lived and worked with these guys for 6 months (along with the Polish, who I might add, I was very impressed with!).

Typical situations with the Ukrainians:
-little to no emphasis on base security - locals would cross perimeter regularly with no response
-regular incidents of drunk driving (with no reprocussions)
-No NCO corps - even officers are not entrusted to make decisions - enlisted troops are considered sub-human
-Soldiers pointed weapons at civilian American contractors
-Soliders in the city physically assaulted innoncent civilians
-Soldiers extorted local vendors/salesmen
-Regularly sold MREs, government equipment, base equipment to oustide iraqis in exchange for money/liquor

What part of unprofessional don't you understand? Let's put it this way: the base motto was "Al Kut - if the Iraqis dont' get you the Ukrainians will finish the job."<<

Any thoughts bP12?

[bogdanPolska12]

Didn't I tell you not long ago stay tune and you understand why Ukraine forces pull back and what Ukraine will do. I couldn't tell you that before, but now you know.

Ok let us get to a bottom of these attacks on Ukraine forces. Guys have some respect for coalition forces. As I said before Ukraine's are fine fighters and they are equipped very well most of all they are equipped with bright spirit. Actually just to give you some hints they are closest to poles in Iraq as it can be, and a lot of Ukraine’s speak polish. And we both play soccer :}}}}

There are always reasons to why this or that is happening, but we are there together and we have to stick together guys. In war there are only two things; friends and enemies. Friends stick together and fight on enemy till the end. And that is why it is important we support each other especially now what is going on in Iraq.

Less thing we need to have is attack on other coalition forces and let them feel abounded. That is not a spirit of true Americans and true friends. And Ukraine’s are part of coalition forces, thus make them equal to be honored and pray for as we pray of all our finest and brave.

God Bless you all, today is Holy Thursday, for those who have love ones in Iraq, no matter what part of corner they are, God bless you and keep you all safe.

Bogdan

[EternalHope]

Class of '73.

Times like this I wish I was still in.

[netmilsmom]

>>God Bless you all, today is Holy Thursday, for those who have love ones in Iraq, no matter what part of corner they are, God bless you and keep you all safe.

Bogdan<<

Thank you so much!
Bóg B³ogos³awi (czciæ) was te¿

(geez, I hope that came out right)

[netmilsmom]

>>Thank you so much!
Bóg B³ogos³awi (czciæ) was te¿

(geez, I hope that came out right) <<

Oooo, it didn't. So much for bad internet translators!

God Bless you as well, my FRiend!

[bogdanPolska12]

Thank you and stay safe.

Bog Zaplac
Bogdan

[bogdanPolska12]

Hey iron, well you know it is kind of hard to put two bridges together here. I mean it is hard for me to really judge who is who, for I don't do that. But what I think what is most important is to keep these guys to know we are behind them no matter what of differences we may have you know. I still believe Ukraine’s are fine people; I have a lot of friends who are from Ukraine.

I really hope we can put this entire thing behind us right now, and rather pray for our troops and coalition guys. After all it takes guts to be there where they are.

God Bless America
Bogdan