NationStates Jolt Archive

Dutch and Ukrainian troops leave Iraq
3/15/2005 4:59:00 PM GMT

Ukrainian troops attend a ceremony at their base in Kut, southeast of Baghdad

Ukrainian and Dutch troops have started their phased withdrawal from the war-torn Iraq.

Under a program to cut down the Ukrainian contingent in Iraq, the first group of the Ukrainian troops deployed in the country started withdrawing on Tuesday.

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=7413

Ukraine troops to leave Iraq, president
April 1, 2005 - 6:49AM

President Viktor Yushchenko has confirmed that Ukraine's troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year.

"It will be by mid-October, but I don't exclude that this date can be changed a little. But for sure our troops will leave Iraq this year," Yushchenko said at a briefing for foreign journalists ahead of his trip to the United States starting Sunday.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Ukraine-troops-to-leave-Iraq-presidents/2005/04/01/1112302196362.html?oneclick=true

Are they pulling out because it was planned or because they've withdrawn support for the operation?

Are they pulling out because it was planned or because they've withdrawn support for the operation?

Because their President got elected on that election promise...

more or less ala Zapatero.

Because their President got elected on that election promise...

more or less ala Zapatero.

Ah...yeah I remember the Spanish withdrawal, came after the March 11 bombing. Oh well...

You'll be happy to know, britian is beinging a large scale withdrawel too, ill try and find the article.

You'll be happy to know, britian is beinging a large scale withdrawel too, ill try and find the article.

Well Blair did just call an election and if he wants to win he'll appease the people.

cant find it on bbc.com

think i read it in the times last friday.

if anyone cares

cant find it on bbc.com

think i read it in the times last friday.

if anyone cares

I'd like to see it to be honest. I haven't heard anything about it at all on any news agency here in the US. Hell that would make front page news so...

You know, it could also be that the troops aren't as necessary anymore, and all that-it doesn't have to be because of internal politics at home... :rolleyes:

Major combat operations have scaled down steadily since the Iraqi Elections, maybe the British contingent is going home because...it's time??? Unlike Korea (censored bottomless commitment....), the Iraqi operation probably had a "when things get to point 'x' start withdrawing" in the original agreement-most nations can't afford to deploy vast numbers of troops on long-term duty far from home-and if the mission is accomplished, why stay?
The British army got to test some of their tactics, theories, and new hardware, pick up some Veteran status in their ranks, and show the Americans who, man-for-man, is better at the job. British War-goals are probably well-and-thoroughly achieved at this point, it makes sense for them to withdraw-if that is what the British are doing.

Likewise, the Ukranians got to rack up some combat time, learn how to do long-range deployments, and test their hardware without putting their own borders at significant risk, or violating any standing treaties. It's probably well-past time to go home for them.

The Dutch got to tweak German and French noses doing the same thing, picked up some good will from the U.S., and got to (again) pull down some experience overseas without having to wear the shoot-me-blues while carrying empty weapons. They did their bit, they're goin' home-just like a lot of U.S. troops are doing.

seeing nefarious motives behind these withdrawals is a bit silly, and gives far too much credit to the radical islamists and their Leftist quislings.

You know, it could also be that the troops aren't as necessary anymore, and all that-it doesn't have to be because of internal politics at home... :rolleyes:

Major combat operations have scaled down steadily since the Iraqi Elections, maybe the British contingent is going home because...it's time??? Unlike Korea (censored bottomless commitment....), the Iraqi operation probably had a "when things get to point 'x' start withdrawing" in the original agreement-most nations can't afford to deploy vast numbers of troops on long-term duty far from home-and if the mission is accomplished, why stay?
The British army got to test some of their tactics, theories, and new hardware, pick up some Veteran status in their ranks, and show the Americans who, man-for-man, is better at the job. British War-goals are probably well-and-thoroughly achieved at this point, it makes sense for them to withdraw-if that is what the British are doing.

Likewise, the Ukranians got to rack up some combat time, learn how to do long-range deployments, and test their hardware without putting their own borders at significant risk, or violating any standing treaties. It's probably well-past time to go home for them.

The Dutch got to tweak German and French noses doing the same thing, picked up some good will from the U.S., and got to (again) pull down some experience overseas without having to wear the shoot-me-blues while carrying empty weapons. They did their bit, they're goin' home-just like a lot of U.S. troops are doing.

seeing nefarious motives behind these withdrawals is a bit silly, and gives far too much credit to the radical islamists and their Leftist quislings.

See now if only more people had that outlook.

... maybe the British contingent is going home because...it's time??? I think so...

as a matter of fact..I say Its time for all occupation troops to go home.

I think so...

as a matter of fact..I say Its time for all occupation troops to go home.

No it's not time for that yet. That would be nice but it isn't time for that yet. The elections only voted on the people who would write the Constitution. If we pull out now the terrorist contingents, all what 500 of them, inside Iraq would suddenly be able to exhibit A LOT of influence on the Constitution.

Happy to say the last of the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Brigade Combat Team got home last night at 9PM. The 3rd Infantry Division has moved into the Baghdad area. Many, many interesting stories. A fellow I interviewed on the radio this morning said the Iraqi National Guard needs outside help for a good 18 more months. Caveat...He wasn't deciding policy, he taught small unit tactics to Iraqi forces at Adamiya, Baghdad.

I look forward to the day when an independent Iraq can take care of Iraqi problems. It will happen but they still need assistance now. If we (Coalition forces) had a total troops pullout now...as in any conflict the innocent would suffer the most.