No to NATO

www.aftenposten.no ^ | 13 Sep 2006, 12:25 | Aftenposten's Norwegian reporter Tor Arne Andreassen - Aftenposten English Web Desk Jonathan Tisdall

[Kurt_Hectic]

The Norwegian Defense has refused to comply with NATO's plans to move nearly 300 Norwegian troops to southern Afghanistan.

The Norwegian soldiers, many of them fresh from basic training, were in danger earlier this month of being sent from the relatively calm north to escalating conflicts with the Taliban in the south.

NATO wants to shift more force to fight the Taliban in the area and sketched out a draft order that would move Norway's Quick Reaction Force from the north to Kandahar in the troubled south. There it would relieve an allied watch force which in turn would join the fight against the Taliban.

Defense Department spokesman Kjetil Eide in Oslo said that NATO had sent an 'inquiry' and not an 'order'. Norway's vice-admiral Jan Reksten decided to exercise the right of members to veto ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) orders.

"This was an assignment not in keeping with the what the Norwegian soldiers were sent to Afghanistan to do," brigadier Gunnar Gustavsen, chief of staff at the Joint Defense operative headquarters, told Aftenposten.

According to Aftenposten's sources, the NATO plan would not have meant using Norwegian soldiers in combat operations.

Norway has made it clear that its forces in Afghanistan are not sufficiently trained to take part in combat and not properly equipped to do so either.

Related stories: US and NATO want more military aid from Norway - 31.08.2006 Dissent brews over Norway's military aid offer to UN - 18.08.2006 Military needs more troops - 14.08.2006

[Kurt_Hectic]

"Norway has made it clear that its forces in Afghanistan are not sufficiently trained to take part in combat and not properly equipped to do so either."

This is maybe a crazy idea, but perhaps Norway should train and equip troops that actually ARE combat-ready?

If Norway is serious about joining in on the WOT, they can't expect the US military to carry all the burden. Then again, maybe Norway ISN'T serious about joining in?

Sissies!

[Catholic Canadian]

Damn wimps, even we sent our troops in. But then, maybe we don't want any pussy europeans there.

[Smedley]

Norway has made it clear that its forces in Afghanistan are not sufficiently trained to take part in combat and not properly equipped to do so either.

Read: We didn't bring any guns and even if we did we wouldn't know how to load them.

[fatrat]

reminds me of the saying: Either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!

[bill1952]

I wonder if they are unionized like Belgium's army.

Fat, older, beer drinking union employees, with few arms or training.

The EU is practically useless.

[Doug Loss]

It's just as I've said for some time. When the EUnuchs whine about us not asking them for their help (militarily), we need to let them know politely but firmly that we don't ask them for their help because they are completely useless militarily and would require too much of our real soldiers' attention to protect them.

[Kurt_Hectic]

And what if Norway was attacked by their friendly neighbor, Russia? "Sorry 101st, but we're not trained and equiped properly, but YOU guys go ahead and have fun! Good luck and God bless!! (pats on the back)" ??

[Shadow44]

You have to remember their history...this is the country that had Quisling as a leader.

[1rudeboy]

My understanding is that Norway has compulsory military service (not that it really matters).

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

This is maybe a crazy idea, but perhaps Norway should train and equip troops that actually ARE combat-ready?

Good fighting stock like the Vikings left Norway centuries ago. They are not worth defending. Turn them over to the Muslims and let them carry this baggage.

[G8 Diplomat]

Norway has made it clear that its forces in Afghanistan are not sufficiently trained to take part in combat and not properly equipped to do so either.

You'd expect better from former Vikings