Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

10 Nations Join Hard - Line Hostage Stance
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS via NY Times ^ | August 5, 2004 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted on 08/05/2004 1:23:50 PM PDT by 68skylark

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ten allied countries have joined in a campaign originated by Bulgaria and promoted by the United States to notify hostage-takers in Iraq that they should not expect concessions to liberate their captives.

Britain, Slovakia, Singapore, New Zealand, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Denmark, Australia and Albania were identified Thursday by the State Department as issuing statements ruling out concessions along with Bulgaria and the United States.

All are part of a 31-nation, U.S.-led coalition that has troops in Iraq. Britain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary and Latvia all have reported the death of military service members.

The United States, with by far the largest contingent, 138,000, has reported 917 deaths since the beginning of military operations in March 2003.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said he expected other countries in the coalition to issue statements, as well.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: albania; allies; australia; balkans; britain; denmark; estonia; friends; heroes; hostages; iraq; kazakhstan; latvia; multinational; newzealand; resolve; singapore; slovakia
It's a relief to know that some countries have the courage and good sense to stand up to terrorists.
1 posted on 08/05/2004 1:23:51 PM PDT by 68skylark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 68skylark

I thought New Zealand ruled out sending troops to Iraq but I guess I either misread or they changed their minds.

Good for the coalition.


2 posted on 08/05/2004 1:29:27 PM PDT by abercrombie_guy_38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: abercrombie_guy_38

I missed that part. I guess NZ might have some civilian diplomats or aid workers in Iraq -- I doubt they have a military presence there.


3 posted on 08/05/2004 1:35:08 PM PDT by 68skylark (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 68skylark

New Zealand has army engineers in Iraq, engaged in various work helping to restore infrastructure in the area around Basra. It's not a combat force - but they do have soldiers there.



4 posted on 08/05/2004 7:15:50 PM PDT by naturalman1975 (Sure, give peace a chance - but si vis pacem, para bellum.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson