Bush Thanks Denmark for Troops, Pledges Iraq's Sovereignty

DoD-AFPS ^ | May 28, 2004 | Gene Harper

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bush Thanks Denmark for Troops, Pledges Iraq's Sovereignty

By Gene Harper
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2004 – President Bush thanked Denmark for its troop support to Operation Iraqi Freedom during Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen's visit to the White House today.

"The moms and dads of those troops need to know they're performing brilliantly," Bush said. "They're good, strong soldiers who bring great credit to your country."

Rasmussen confirmed Denmark's commitment in Iraq. "We will stay and finish our job," he said. "Our common goal is to assist the Iraqi people in building a new, modern and democratic society."

Denmark has a battalion of 494 soldiers deployed to Iraq. It includes a light armored reconnaissance squadron, a special operation force detachment, a medi- cal platoon, and a mine-clearing and explosive ordnance disposal unit. Another staff officer element is embedded with the Polish-led Multinational Division Central South headquarters. Denmark also has troops assigned to NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The president also assured Rasmussen that the coalition would transfer full sovereignty to the Iraqi government. Rasmussen said Danish troops would remain in Iraq as long as that new government wants them.

Bush told the prime minister that the United States is working closely in the United Nations on a Security Council resolution. "I spoke to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin this morning about the resolution, and we agreed to work together on behalf of the Iraqi people and the new government," Bush said. "I told him that we would come up with an arrangement that would enable us to help the Iraqi people secure their country so that their country can move toward elections.

"I told him I would continue to work with countries around the world to build support for the new Iraqi government so that the Iraqi people have a chance to live in a free and just society, just like we do."

Rasmussen also emphasized the importance of transatlantic strength and the upcoming June 6 D-Day remembrance. "In a few days' time, we will commemorate the 60 years' anniversary of the allied invasion of Europe," he said. "We owe a great deal to the United States and Europe. Thousands of American lost their lives in Europe in the fight against Nazi tyranny, in the fight for freedom. And let this commemoration also be a reminder of our shared values and shared destiny."

Related Sites:
Denmark
International Security Assistance Force

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

President Bush thanked Denmark for its troop support to Operation Iraqi Freedom during Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen's visit to the White House today.

"The moms and dads of those troops need to know they're performing brilliantly," Bush said. "They're good, strong soldiers who bring great credit to your country."

Rasmussen confirmed Denmark's commitment in Iraq. "We will stay and finish our job," he said. "Our common goal is to assist the Iraqi people in building a new, modern and democratic society."

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           Allied, ping!

[KellyAdmirer]

I smell an exit strategy developing. Or maybe it's just the cat....

[VOA]

Rasmussen said Danish troops would remain in Iraq as long as that new government wants them.

Now there's a line ripe for a mainstream press embargo.

Sure it's an humble number of troops...but it's political bravery to say
such things in most of Europe.

I can't help but wonder if some of the Danes are enjoying the change of scenery
and bright sunlight...compared to some of the flat, rainy terrain of Denmark.

[SAMWolf]

Denmark bump

[VOA]

"In a few days' time, we will commemorate the 60 years' anniversary of the allied invasion
of Europe," he said. "We owe a great deal to the United States and Europe.

I don't know if has continued, but my understanding is that July 4th was just
about an unofficial holiday in Denmark following WWII.

Sounds like the spirit of the Danish "pizza guy" who banned French/German customers
is in some of his fellow citizens.

[RobbyS]

From the description of the force, Denark is providing quite a bit of muscle in proportion to her size.

[Martin Tell]

the change of scenery and bright sunlight...compared to some of the flat, rainy terrain of Denmark.

But this time of year there is midnight sun and delightful weather. Makes quite a change in attitude - even the Danes say there are Winter Danes and Summer Danes, two different people.

And do I need to mention the Summer sunbathing Danish babes?

[McGavin999]

I can't help but wonder if some of the Danes are enjoying the change of scenery and bright sunlight...compared to some of the flat, rainy terrain of Denmark

They're doing a great job there. They are in an area of small villages and are really loved by the people. I wish our guys had a chance to really interact with the people but we've been fighting off the bad guys for so long they haven't really had the chance.

[VOA]

And do I need to mention the Summer sunbathing Danish babes?

Amen.
I wasn't running down Denmark's scenary...heck, about half of my family tree is from there.
I've just heard that some of the coastal areas are just about as monotonous...
as the coastal plains of Texas!

As for some of the Danes maybe enjoying a "change of scenery"...wouldn't be the
first military guys to have that experience.

[VOA]

I wish our guys had a chance to really interact with the people but we've been fighting
off the bad guys for so long they haven't really had the chance.

I'm just praying that maybe 10, 25, 50 years from now Iraq will be
a fairly civilized place...and all the Desert Shield/Storm and Iraqi Freedom
folks can visit the country they freed from Saddam's grasp.

A June 30th-to-July 4th holiday in Iraq sounds pretty cool.

[irv]

I've worked with a bunch of folks from Denmark, and talked to more on the phone (they're the vendor of the most important piece of software our company uses). They are almost invariably smart, soft-spoken, good-humored and pleasant. Just generally good folks.

It's nice to have them on our side.

[danamco]

I don't know if has continued, but my understanding is that July 4th was just
about an unofficial holiday in Denmark following WWII.

To VOA and other Poster:

The Danish-American celebrates our July 4th. every year in a place in Jutland called "Rebild Bakker." When I got married to my American wife in 1983, and she's more beautiful than any of the Danish "topless" babes!
That year V.P. Bush was the key note speaker, and I remember his car got stuck in the sand dunes, and Secret Service men had to work hard to get on "dry" land.
Denmark has their own day of national celebration, Grundlovsdagen, celebrating their constitution. The P.M. Rasmussen is taking the same "beatings" from the opposition Socialdemokratiet as Bush is taking from the Dims and the media.
That the Danish soldiers would enjoy the Iraqi desert climate is ridiculous. However, they would enjoy to be at Costa del Sol, Spain or at the French or Italian Riviera.
Lastly, there's no midnight sun in Denmark.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[VOA]

That the Danish soldiers would enjoy the Iraqi desert climate is ridiculous.
However, they would enjoy to be at Costa del Sol, Spain or at the French
or Italian Riviera.

I was just being "shooting from the hip" on that comment.
It looks like most of Iraq is just brown, dusty, sandy and insufferably hot
most of the year.

It is heartening to hear Rasmussen is being a steady friend and the troops
are steadfast.