Estonian troops relish Iraqi patrols

[bemildred]

US allies are quitting Iraq in droves but the coalition of the willing is not quite dead: 40 Estonian soldiers hope their corner of Baghdad will remain forever Baltic.

The light infantry platoon, Estonia's sum contribution to the war, is responsible for Abu Ghraib district, a cauldron of rubble and violence. The platoon loves it.

"We are learning a lot. What it's like being under fire, stuff like that," said Sergeant Peter Heinsaar, 25. Back home in Tallinn soldiers compete to be on the next rotation.

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Bulgaria's new government said yesterday it would withdraw all its 370 troops. A Latvian ruling coalition party wants to end its 136-strong Iraq mission. Japan's main opposition said it would pull out its 500-strong contingent if it won next month's election, while Italy withdrew 300 soldiers last month and Poland's 2,400-strong force will go soon, as will Ukraine's.

Guardian.UK

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. bye bye Poland

we shall never forget.

[tabasco]

2. A whole platoon !

That makes Estonia one of the larger "coalition" members with about 40 troops. Don't forget Estonia!

[daleo]

3. Estonian troops are dying to visit Baghdad

You would think they would be sensitive to what military occupation feels like, after all those years under the Russians.

[htuttle]

4. It's all fun and games until someone puts an eye out!

[Kipling]

5. Two out of 40 are already dead.

Wow, that sounds... fun.