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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Hungary Will Withdraw Troops From Iraq |
| 2004-11-03 |
| Hungary will withdraw its 300 non-combat troops from Iraq by March 31, the country's new prime minister said Wednesday, because staying longer would be an "impossibility." "We are obliged to stay there until the (Iraqi) elections. To stay longer is an impossibility," Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said at a ceremony to mark the end of mandatory military service in Hungary. The former communist country, which joined the European Union in May, sent the troops as part of the U.S.-led coalition, but the government has been under mounting pressure from citizens and opposition parties who oppose the soldiers' presence. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #12 I echo Ptah - and my email of thanks has been sent. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-11-03 5:49:54 PM |
| #11 Note the following: 'Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said he would ask parliament to extend the troops' current mandate, which expires Dec. 31, until March 31. Hungary's largest opposition party, which wants the soldiers home by year's end, signaled it likely would block the move.' Hungary has the same problem the U.S. has/had ...that of liberal radicals playing games with international security. We thank Hungarians for their service in the counter-terrorist war in Iraq, and extend our best wishes to Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany to hold firm and look to the Bush victory as hope in defeating leftists. |
| Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-11-03 5:40:26 PM |
| #10 I'm with LH on this one. They acted honorably and that can't be taken away from them. But let's not forget, the message being sent is that these guys did not sign up for outright war. The situation isn't stable enough in Iraq. And that means more work for the US, UK, and for the timebeing, the other coalition members. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-11-03 5:17:16 PM |
| #9 They made a promise. They kept it. Ya Can't get more honorable than that. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2004-11-03 4:00:23 PM |
| #8 Good Lord!!!! the hungarians are leaving!!! the Iraqi Insurgents will surely overrun us now!! |
| Posted by: Quarterdeck 2004-11-03 2:49:07 PM |
| #7 I agree this isnt a Spain, but im far from as calm as y'all are. I was hoping new Iraqi troops could ADD to coalition manpower - if theyre to replace withdrawing coalition troops that means the buildup is slower. And some folks are gonna wonder why Hungarians, etc get to go home while we keep the same troop level or increase it. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-11-03 2:46:09 PM |
| #6 If you'd like to thank them: H.E. Mr. András Simonyi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary The Republic of Hungary 3910 Shoemaker Street, NW, Washington DC 20008 Telephone: (202) 362-6730 Fax: (202) 966-8135 E-mail: office@huembwas.org URL: http://www.huembwas.org/ |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-11-03 12:13:06 PM |
| #5 Talpra Magyar! |
| Posted by: Mike 2004-11-03 11:53:59 AM |
| #4 Unlike Spain this is not cutting and running. Thank you for your help. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-11-03 11:25:48 AM |
| #3 At the time the Iraqi's hold their elections, and select their new government, the Hungarians (and the others) can proudly return home and claim 'Mission Accomplished'. That was the primary mission. Thanks Hungary! |
| Posted by: AllahHateMe 2004-11-03 11:05:03 AM |
| #2 Fair enough! And thanks! |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-11-03 10:29:54 AM |
| #1 Not unexpected and others will follow. Many of our Coalition partners were clear that they were there until elections and until Iraqis took over their own country. God bless them all and thank you! |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-11-03 9:47:22 AM |