Tonga sends troops to Afghanistan

The Telegraph ^ | 7/28/2010 | Bonnie Malkin in Sydney

[bruinbirdman]

Tiny Pacific island nation of Tonga has pledged to join the war effort in Afghanistan and send troops to bolster Nato forces fighting the Taliban.

Tonga is made up of 169 islands, 39 of which are inhabited

While most countries in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are plotting an exit date from the war-ravaged country, the Tongan government has committed 275 of its soldiers over two years.

Ruling that Afghanistan was a safer destination for Tongan troops than Iraq, the government will send an initial 55 soldiers to Afghanistan in November. A further three rotations of 55 marines will form part of the guard at the main British base, Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province.

Under the deal, the British army will cover the cost of the deployment and Tongans will serve as part of the British Armed Forces.

Brigadier Tauaika 'Uta'atu, the Tongan defence services commander, said Tonga had agreed because Afghanistan "looks safer than Iraq".

"Our soldiers will not be doing street patrols where there have been a lot of deaths," he said.

"This is an invitation from the British army who saw our soldiers work in Iraq and the then-prime minister Gordon Brown wrote to our prime minister and asked for support.

"This is something we think is an honour to be a part of."

The Tongan economy relies heavily on remittances from citizens living abroad, mainly in New Zealand, Australia, the US and Britain.

While jobs are scarce on the islands, Tongan soldiers will be paid the equivalent of £30 per day to serve in Afghanistan and some have said that the salary was not worth the risk.

'Etuate Lavulavu, one of the few popularly elected legislators in Tonga's semi-feudal political system, said the soldiers would be in serious danger in Afghanistan

[bruinbirdman]

Tonga King George Tupou V

[shibumi]

Will the Rules Of Engagement now require the Haka to be performed prior to firing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C6-g1gFvu8

[gleeaikin]

Perhaps they want to beef up their military experience, in case global warming and rising seas force them to seek new homes. ;-)

[shibumi]

Commanding Officer?

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 294 lbs

Real Name: Tonga Uliuli Fifita

DOB: 2/03/1959

Hometown: Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Current Residence: Kissimmee, Florida

Other Names: Prince Tonga (NWA), King Tonga (Montreal, NWA Pacific-Northwest), Meng (WCW)

Wrestler Since: 1977

Finishing Maneuver: Tongan Death Grip

[skr]

Afghanistan is safer than Iraq?

[bakoj]

Tonga-— Now there’s a country you NEVER hear ANYTHING about. Must be a good place to live.