| Submit your comments on this article |
| Europe |
| Danish Defense Minister: We stay in Afghanistan |
| 2008-04-02 |
| Despite the death of another Danish soldier the Defence Minister was adamant that Denmark will remain in Afghanistan indefinitely Another Danish soldier was killed Monday during an intense battle with Taleban forces in the unstable Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, reports Politiken newspaper. The death brings the total number of Danes killed in Afghanistan since 2002 to 14, but ten of those have occurred in the last six months. Denmark now has the highest percentage of soldiers that have lost their lives in Afghanistan when considering a country's population. Søren Gade, the defence minister, said that while he was deeply sorry for the losses, it was necessary for Denmark to remain in Afghanistan and help the civilian population overcome the effects of Taleban rule. 'Even one death is too many, but we're not running away,' he said. 'Our mission is not in jeopardy.' The Social Democrats, Danish People's Party and Conservatives are concerned that Denmark is pulling more than its share of the weight in the Asian country and want other Nato member states to increase their dispatch of troops to the area. Gade said that the Nato meetings over the next few days would likely bring about that result, but perhaps not to the parties' satisfaction. 'It won't make it any more secure for the individual Danish soldier,' said Gade. 'It's dangerous in Helmand. It's a military operation with risks, and unfortunately I can't guarantee there won't be more losses.' Public support for Denmark's presence in Afghanistan had fallen even before Sunday's death, and Professor Bertil Heurlin, an expert in security policies, said politicians need to provide clear explanations to the public of what Danish troops are achieving in the country and what the ultimate goals of the coalition forces are. 'If we don't explain to people that Denmark is currently pursuing an active global policy, then we can end up with a situation like that of Canada, where an ultimatum was made for more troops from other countries if they were to remain in Afghanistan,' said Heurlin. Gade admitted that the government had possibly not been as clear with its message on the Afghan mission as it could have been. 'We do have a responsibility in that regard that we need to live up to better,' he said. Peter Dahl Thruelsen, a researcher at the Defence Academy, agreed that the message to the people should focus on the long-term goals of the military effort, saying the battle would likely be won, but it would take time. 'Helmand is the Taleban's last bastion and they'll hold on to it as long as they can,' said Thruelsen. 'This is why it is so important that military contributions from Nato be followed up by rebuilding programmes, establishing schools and so forth, so the Afghan people can actually see the differences we're making.' Just today the government proposed increasing Danish aid to Afghanistan, doubling the sum to 400 million kroner. (RC) |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #1 The cartoon-hating jihadists might want to recall the old French prayer: "From the wrath of the Northmen, O Lord, deliver us," (not that it will do them any good). |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2008-04-02 09:50 |