India says no to Iraq force, too busy in Kashmir

Reuters | September 12, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

India says no to Iraq force, too busy in Kashmir

NEW DELHI, Sept 12 (Reuters) - India cannot send soldiers to help U.S. forces in Iraq because it it too busy fighting Islamic rebels in Kashmir, a senior Indian defence official said on Friday.

"The ground situation in the northwest sector (Kashmir) is such that we cannot afford to send our military personnel at this point of time," he told Reuters. "But this is not a flat no."

The United States has asked for a division -- 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers -- to help its forces in Iraq.

[JohnHuang2]

September 12, 2003

Quote of the Day by seamole

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

We'd like financial help with the reconstruction of Iraq, but I think we really have to rent/buy the foreign soldiers we need.

One way of buying foreign soldiers is with the "there's no such thing as a US veteran who is an alien" program.

A component of a rental program would be with a "foreign veterans of Iraq automatically get green cards" program." We would after all feel embarassed to arrest a Polish veteran on an immigration charge . . .

[Coop]

So what happens when Yemenis, Syrians and Iranians start applying for this program?

[kabar]

The UN peacekeeping system is a big rip off anyway. We still have to pick up most of the tab for these troop "contributions" and all of the logistical support. Operationally, multinational forces are also a headache. India wants us to help them resolve the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.

[samtheman]

We don't need anyone's help, and the Iraqi people, according to recent polls, don't want anyone else in there.

Let's fire Colin Powell, quit the UN, and start acting like a free country.

[GraniteStateConservative]

We were prepared to buy Turkey's support before the war. I'm sure we're willing to buy their support now. The price has probably gone up since then, though, since the risk is greater now.

[LN2Campy]

Another world power thought that was a good idea, too.

The Roman Empire's decline was largely due to the use of foreign mercenaries, recruited with promises of land and citizenship.

The Romans sold out their progeny because they were unwilling to fight their own battles.

Not a good idea IMHO.

[GraniteStateConservative]

We do need help. We wouldn't be asking for it if we didn't, and any person can look at the numbers (of troops available) and see that it doesn't add up for us to go it alone (shouldering 95% of the burden).

[GraniteStateConservative]

Believe me, we'd be fighting our own battles and occupying Iraq ourselves if we could. Without significant support from other nations, the only other option is to pull out.

[flamefront]

Well, India, the US is busy in 120 countries, but that never stopped it.

[berserker]

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) cry at a wreath laying ceremony for their dead comrade Balbir Singh at BSF Headquarters, Srinagar. India has reportedly ruled out sending troops to Iraq because it would be a public relations disaster for the government if any died. (AFP/file/Tauseef Mustafa)

[sully777]

Non-diplomatic language:

India gave the US a sarcastic rebuke with all side glances included.

It's like telling your wife that she's a slob then asking her to prepare for company. What's going to be the response? "Oh no, honey I'm much too busy cleaning the toilets with this Q-tip. Wish I could help, but you know how much of a slob I am," she responds as she burns holes through your brain with her laser-beam eyesight.

[sully777]

Non-diplomatic language:

India gave the US a sarcastic rebuke with all side glances included.

It's like telling your wife that she's a slob then asking her to prepare for company. What's going to be the response? "Oh no, honey I'm much too busy cleaning the toilets with this Q-tip. Wish I could help, but you know how much of a slob I am," she responds as she burns holes through your brain with her laser-beam eyesight.

[sully777]

Non-diplomatic language:

India gave the US a sarcastic rebuke with all side glances included.

It's like telling your wife that she's a slob then asking her to prepare for company. What's going to be the response? "Oh no, honey I'm much too busy cleaning the toilets with this Q-tip. Wish I could help, but you know how much of a slob I am," she responds as she burns holes through your brain with her laser-beam eyesight.

[sully777]

Crap! Three times I sent this post. Sorry, the post wouldn't move. I kept hitting the stop send X. Oh well, at least it didn't send it seven times.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

So what happens when Yemenis, Syrians and Iranians start applying for this program?

If they want to infiltrate the system by applying for membership in the US armed forces, there is nothing stopping them now. I'm not sure any of the above nations are likely to send forces to the coalition, so that part of the question is moot.

[Dog Gone]

India missed a good opportunity to cement ties with the US. Their excuse is lame, and they know we know it.

Of course, they were certainly under no obligation to send troops, and I don't really blame them for declining.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The Romans sold out their progeny because they were unwilling to fight their own battles.

We always have immigrants; the difference here is that they are people who do some good for the country first.

Now if we started recruiting Mexicans to ward off a serious threat from Mexico, I would think you had a point.

[StolarStorm]

Amazing. India is receiving a fortune in outsourcing from America, yet keeps out American products. They will not help us when we need them, but expect us to allow them to rape us economically. India is an enemy. We need to realize that. They obviously do.

[ClaireSolt]

I had a call from a responsible friend in Europe earlier in the week. She said that Kofi Anan is proposing reducing the European presence on the UN Security council replacing England and France by India and a South American country. Why has this not been reported in the US?