Posted on 12/19/2008 1:03:34 PM PST by knighthawk
THE HAGUE, 20/12/08 - Only a few hours after Premier Jan Peter Balkenende suggested that the Netherlands would stay on in Afghanistan after 2010, a Dutchman lost his life there Friday.
The dead soldier is 24 year old Mark Weijdt. He ran into a roadside bomb during an engagement about 30 kilometres from Camp Holland. Another soldier was slightly injured, said Commander of the Armed Forces Peter van Uhm. Wijt is the 18th Dutch national to be killed during the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
The Dutch military mission in Afghanistan ends in autumn 2010. But on Thursday evening, Balkenende said on TV programme Pauw & Witteman that "a new 'weighing-up moment' will arise" if the incoming US president Obama requests the Dutch military to remain active in Afghanistan.
Advisors of Obama have already indicated that such a request will arrive, according to Balkenende. He did suggest that the Netherlands would no longer want to be 'leading nation' in Uruzgan.
Ping
Isn’t it incredible countries send SOLDIERS to help in a WAR, and as soon as there are casualties it is immediately considered the country might get out?
The drones on the left of politics (whether from the Netherlands or Obamastan) call this one “the good war” (ie stay and fight) so they can call the evil Bush’s Iraq war the bad one. They think it’s a vote spinner so don’t worry, the Netherlands will continue to fight on - just watch. But get used to more casulaties chumps because coming over the hill will be a never ending supply of crazies coming over the border from their safe haven Pakistan. This really will be the 100 year war.
I’ll be in the Netherlands in Feb. I will thank them for their sacrifice if given the opportunity. The Dutch are dealing with the Islamic onslaught in Holland. They are beginning to see the importance of defending the western way of life.
3 Danish troopers killed today in Afghanistan as well. A sad loss.
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