Denmark sends special forces to Iraq

[jmc247]

Source: AP

The troops are already on their way after a decision made by Defense Minister Soeren Gade on Friday, said Hans Vedholm, a spokesman for Denmark's armed forces.

Vedholm said he could not say how many soldiers were deployed in the operation, nor what it was about "because it would be disastrous for our soldiers."

"We're talking about some forces that are going down to solve a special problem," Vedholm said.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/28/europe/EU-GEN-Denmark-Iraq.php

[MethuenProgressive]

1. On which side?

:hide:

[StarryNite]

8. HA!

:rofl:

[Selatius]

2. Did the Danes elect a right-wing government? n/t

[IChing]

3. A Conservative Gay Prime Minister

He came in after 9-11 and got voted in twice by close margins.


I will call my kids and see how this is playing over there.

[KDLarsen]

6. Not quite

He's the leader of the Danish Liberal Party (the name is rather confusing, but it comes from back in the day where it was situated on the left wing) and married to a woman. He has however been very outspoken about his support to the gay community, and once recieved an award from the LGBT community for his support. Partly due to that, there has been numerous rumors about his sexuality - the Danish equivalent of the 'Death of a President' movie even sees him being killed by his supposed gay lover.

He was elected back in 2001, following a rather bitter campaign that mainly centred on immigration issues. Of course, there was also a feeling that the sitting government was trying to take advantage of 9/11 to win another term. His government was reelected in spring 2005 & lost a few seats, but remained intact. It is important to notice that the government itself does not have a majority on its own, instead it's relying on votes from the Danish People's Party (pro-worker, pro-public service, anti-immigration - not sure the US has an equivalent). Most people dislikes his blind support of Dubya & his policies (myself including, and I'm personally slight center-right (though it would be equal to somewhere on the leftwing in the US)).

On topic, the Danish troops in Iraq is basically a gesture of good will. At the moment we don't have very many combat troops stationed there (around 550 I think) and they're all being pulled out in August 2007 in favor of civil aid, and I think most people were against them going there in the first place. However, I think that most also feel that since we helped create the mess, we damn better make sure we at least try to fix it.

On a slightly related topic, big news have hit Denmark, stating that US troops have been detaining a Danish citizen with an Iraqi background for around 5 months, despite him being set free by an Iraqi court. The charges are unclear at the moment, all that's being said was that he was apparently too close to a weapons depot. It is however unlikely that he would be trying to fight the US troops, since he was in favor of the invasion (he was tortured at Abu Ghraib back in the 80's before managing to escape to Denmark) and even sent a letter to Anders Fogh thanking him for joining the coalition and toppling Saddam. What is most concerning, however, is that it took 5 months before anyone found out that the US are holding him - and that it wasn't the US that told the Danish authorities, but instead a Danish intelligence agency that found out.

[Cha]

10. Wow! Thanks for all that inside

Denmark info!

That theory that "we broke it..we need to fix it" doesn't cut any ice with me. The US and Britian, et al went in based on LIES from our so-called leaders and they've done nothing but SCREW UP ever since. They don't know how to "fix it"..they need to get the hell out and leave Iraq to the Iraqis. They just want the freakin' OIL and the military bases!!

[Honeycombe8]

11. Wow. Now, that's interesting. I didn't know all that. nt

[IChing]

12. Wow ....thanks so much for the political update and all the news.

Yes I know Danish parties names can be confusing I lived there too
If you remember venstre which means left
but "Venstre" the party was really a right wing party since the 70s
as compared to the Social Democrats
.

My daughter says the prime minister leads two lives
she lives in Kopenhagen and heard stories
within the Danish social scene. Maybe he is bi (sex is not a big deal there)
but never the less he is not liked
and holds a thin margin.

thanks again


.

[Snap]

13. Endelave

I sailed into the little harbor on Endelave and Ander Fogh and his Liberal Party pals were there. Appartently they have been spending summer holidays on this island since their college days, planning the future of Denmark. The island was not swarming with Men In Black, unlike wherever politicians gather in the U.S.

[IChing]

14. Southern Juteland and Endelave used to be run over by German tourist.

He doesn't sound like a Jusker, how long ago was this?
I don't know much about Dansk politics since the late 90s,
except from the people I know who are in Universities and the
Arts.


BTW Endelave has a very nice harbor for a sailboat.

[Snap]

18. July 2005

We were flying the American flag (we're Americans) and for laughs a German pal next to us was flying The 'ol Hammer and Sickle as a symbol of Peristroika (?).
A Swedish journalist saw this shenanigan and stopped to chat. He has been spending the summer holiday on Endelave for some years (10-20?) sort of relaxing and also covering the conservative Danish politicians at play scene. Yes, Endelave is a great little harbor on a very sweet island, but the harbor is very little.

[rocktivity]

17. The US have been detaining a Danish citizen

despite his being set free by an Iraqi court? Maybe THAT'S the "special problem" the Danish soldiers are being sent to solve!

:think:
rocknation

[hippiechick]

4. " ... to solve a special problem" ??

:wtf:

[Duer 157099]

5. "Special Problem" = not enough Danish

y'know. It *can* be a problem, under certain circumstances.

[KDLarsen]

7. It's going to be a relatively short mission..

The Danish parliament has agreed to remove combat forces, and I suppose that includes special troops, from Iraq by August 2007.

[19jet54]

9. Yea, they opened South Africa too

real friendly bunch of folks?

[IChing]

15. I love how Americans confuse Denmark with Holland or

Nederlands............


What an inaccurate historical twit you are.

[KDLarsen]

16. To be fair..

.. we did rape & pillage large sections of the english & french coastlines.

Mind you, that was back in the days of Vikings etc. Tough guys & girls they were, sailing across to North America & deep into the Russian steppes via the rivers.

[19jet54]

19. Maybe...

.. I should just call you Vikings, Romans, French, Germans, EU-ins, Scandinavian, or with Global Warming - Atlantians?

Regardless, you have been the most conquered people in history :rofl: Now you all want to try to conquer Iraq? Good Luck with that!

[happygoluckytoyou]

20. RELATED STORY...HUMVEES REENFORCED WITH LEGOS

President Bush questioned today on the lack of armor for the transports for the average GI Joe has decided (see reference to The Decider) that the best protection for GI Joe would be to tap on his coersion of the wily and bring in Mattel's competitor, LEGO. The Danish armor manufacturer was glad to supply the now-camouflage-colored pegs. A kit of 1000, capable of protecting a square foot of Humvee costs $50, and will only be used by the more expensive version of the GI Joe, The Blackwell Joe.
In a related story, John McCain interupted his Strange Talking Bus Tour to break into a chorus of "LEGO MY EGGO."
Condi complained, "when soldiers complain, it just fries my rice."
Dick Cheney reminisced that back when he was in VietNam, they didn't need any stupid armor for their Jeep. Dubya sent a spitball over the table, reminded "the Dick" that their trip to VietNam was in 1990, and there was no war.
All in all, the administration is proud of their troops, 150,000 underpaid americans, 120,000 overpaid mercenaries, and the 2 specialists from Denmark.