Posted on 02/21/2005 7:07:47 PM PST by iso
I hope this doesn't leave the Canadians defenseless
Does the US have to airlift them there, or will Canada be renting another plane from the Russians? </insert playful sarcasm here...>
Seriously, though, safe journey to those 30 Canadian soldiers. And thank you too.
Godspeed on taking your country back.
This is a joke,right?
They wouldn't insult us with something this pitiful.
If "they" means the libs, then yes they would. If "they" means true Canadians, then no, they voted Conservative.
Thank you for posting more positive thoughts. I am one of many here in Canada that wish we were there from the start and could do more now. Canadian Conservatives have their work cut out for them.
Yes, I know people love knocking the Canadian Armed Forces around and this government. Yes I would like to see the Harper conservatives take over to help strengthen the Forces and yes I would like to see a large contingent of troops in Iraq. But in the same breathe there has been contributions to this war on terror that need to be recognized as well.
30 soldiers? No thanks keep em. We made it this far without them and we will complete the mission without them.
The efforts of your military while largely symbolic are greatly appreciated.
Golly, Canada, do you think it's wise to send half your armed forces?
Now's our chance!!! The Northern border is completely undefended!
And to think Martin fearmongered in the election that if the Conservatives won they would send soldiers to Iraq.
My husband is a naturalized citizen from Canada, he wonders
what happened to Canada. He is 75 so remembers the days when it was rather conservative for the most part except Quebec. He left in the 1950s. His mom lived there (Niagara Falls) until 1995 when she died.
Not SO silly.
Just heard a 'driveby' comment by Krauthaimer on Fox News... said France's manpower "support" currently consists of a SINGLE GUY. One trainer soldier.
Don't forget that sKerry lovin' libs and dean-iacs have been fleeing north since the 60s.
That kind of immigration can't be good for a country.
Some of the committee members criticized U.S. allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Europe for not adequately sharing the burden of contributing troops or financial resources to help with Afghanistan's stability and reconstruction.
With the United States contributing 14,000 troops, compared to a total of 2,000 from all other countries, and half of the $4 billion that has been used for reconstruction since September 2001, committee Chairman Henry Hyde (Republican from Illinois) said, the challenges threatening Afghanistan's success are not because the United States is not doing enough but, rather, because "not enough is being done."
"Congress is sick and tired at the lack of burden sharing in Afghanistan," said Representative Tom Lantos (Democrat from California). "Now that NATO has accepted full responsibility for security in Afghanistan, both the troop contribution and the financial contribution of both NATO members and other wealthy and developed countries ... is embarrassingly insufficient," he said.
Lantos contrasted the 241 troops contributed by Norway, a country with less than 5 million people, with the 180 troops from Spain and 151 troops from Turkey, with 40 million and 65 million populations, respectively.
"Norway, Spain and Turkey are all members of NATO," said Lantos. "Spain and Turkey have large military forces. Yet their willingness to assume the responsibility that they have accepted by being members of NATO is not reflected in troop strength."
While the United States is increasing its forces from 138,000 to 150,000, according to the Washington Times, “about one-third of coalition troops in Iraq, other than British or American soldiers, have left” or are scheduled to leave after the January 30 elections.[19]
Thirteen countries (not all NATO countries) have pulled out their troops or are planning to leave or reduce their presence, although some additional troops from countries such as Britain and Georgia (a non-NATO country) may help to replenish force numbers.[20] According to Lt. Col. David C. Farlow of Central Command, the United States does not provide a comprehensive listing of countries that are supporting the operations in Iraq because of security concerns.[21] The following list is an estimate of force numbers that European NATO countries are contributing to the U.S.-led coalition.
United Kingdom – 8,300.[22]
Italy - about 3,000[23] - but might not extend its commitment by more than three to six months.[24] Italy may send extra troops in advance of the January 30 election, and then bring them back if all goes “smoothly.”[25] However, Prime Minister Berlusconi has said Italy’s troops will remain in Iraq as long as the Iraqi government wants them to stay there.[26]
Poland - Between 300-500 troops may leave after January 30 elections[27] out of the 2,400 troops it has in Iraq now.[28]
The Netherlands - expected to pull out its 1,300 troops by March 2005.[29]
Spain - pulled out its1,300 troops in April 2004.
Romania – 730 in Iraq – this total may rise if needed before the January elections.[30]
Denmark – about 500 - that will “stay as long as needed”.[31]
Bulgaria – may “slightly reduce” its 480 infantry soldiers.[32]
Hungary - withdrawing its 300 troops by the end of 2004.[33]
Latvia - 122[34] – plans to stay through at least until June 2005.[35]
Portugal – 120 police contribution.[36]
Slovakia – 105.[37]
Lithuania – 105[38] - plans to stay through at least until June 2005.[39]
Czech Republic – 100 troops[40] - plans to pull troops out by end of February 2005.[41]
Estonia – 55[42] - plans to stay through at least until June 2005.[43]
Norway – 10.[44
The Canadians are contributing 992 to Afghanistan.
http://www.nato.int/issues/afghanistan/040628-factsheet.htm#troop_contributions
It all started with "Vive Le Quebec libre!".
De gaulle's French poison entered into the veins of Canada that day and no one has been willing to make the cut and spit the poison out.
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