Posted on 02/21/2005 2:05:29 AM PST by Eurotwit
Denmark´s 500-strong military force in Iraq was rotated out this weekend after a six-month tour of duty.
A new 500-strong contingent of Danish soldiers has been stationed in Iraq to relief the troops staying there for the last six months.
The new troops will be stationed at Camp Danevang, located within the confines of the British Shaiba Log Base in the Shia Muslim dominated southern Iraq. Despite roadside bombs and occasional shootings, the region has remained relatively peaceful, and no Danes have been seriously injured in clashes with Iraqis.
The old contingent was responsible for monitoring the Iraqi election.
Colonel John Dalby, the departing leader, said in January that the Danish battalion would probably leave Iraq within the next two years.
“I don’t think that we’ll be here much more than another 12 to 18 months before the Iraqis request us to return home,” Dalby said on January 17.
“It’s rubbish to say that we won’t be needed here after the January election,” he said at that time.
How long Denmark will retain a presence in Iraq is still officially undecided.
Denmark’s parliament voted in November to keep forces in the country for another six months and to take up an eventual extension when the deadline neared.
Despite being against the initial military operation in Iraq, opposition parties the Social Democrats and the Social Liberals chose to join with the government and its support parties to support Denmark’s participation in the UN sanctioned occupation of Iraq.
The Socialist People’s Party and the Unity Party demand the immediate withdrawal of Danish troops from Iraq.
They've done a very good job It's nice to have them there. They have done a lot of reconstruction and infrastructure work. Too bad you never hear about it in our crappy media.
Thank you, Denmark. If only the rest of Europe could follow your example.
At least some of us hear about it from reports like yours. Thanks.
Thank you Denmark!
Thank you Denmark!
"New Danish contingent in Iraq"
Coffee and hot tea to follow.
I spent 6 weeks in Denmark about 10 years ago on a military TDY.
The officers in the Danish military have real authority.
The Danish captain leading our large convoy stopped the traffic to get us through, and ticketed a civilian who was protesting our presence.
It was a trip.
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