Norwegian troops to quit Iraq, Bush told

[bemildred]

Norway's incoming Prime Minister has told US President George W Bush that he will order Norwegian troops to leave Iraq as soon as he takes office, the NTB news agency reported.

Labour Party leader Jens Stoltenberg, who will take up the post in mid-October as the head of a coalition of three left-wing parties, told the US president "the Norwegian officers should not remain in Iraq," NTB quoted the Labour leader on Thursday

HindustanTimes

[forintegrity]

1. who's left holding the bag now

just us?

[bemildred]

2. Purely symbolic, Norway is not carrying much weight in Iraq anyway. nt

[Broken_Hero]

3. Ditto and Ditto...

[blue agave]

26. Ditto and Ditto ... and kick

Their support was largely symbolic. I'm glad they are now straight up.

[Mokito]

36. They're participation being merely symbolic

of course also implies that they're withdrawal is really symbolic.

[Maple]

6. That's what is said about all of them

the minute they decide to leave.

You don't think other countries know how little they're appreciated?

Tax dollars, and deaths and political costs they've incurred included?

[bemildred]

12. Said, shmaid, that just happens to be the case.

But symbols are important. It just doesn't affect the
fact that we are holding the bag in Iraq much.

[Maple]

15. You were grateful enough to get their help

Big buddies they were.

And now you're through using them....?

Ahhh the fleeting nature of US friendship.

[bemildred]

19. No I wasn't, I was very disappointed.

It gave the Bushites credibility.

[Maple]

20. Then wait till a Dem president needs help

and the other countries moon him...knowing full well the kind of thanks they'll get.

[bemildred]

22. WTF are you talking about?

Are you deaf?

I don't like foreign wars, you can't get me to worry about other
nations not helping us with foreign wars, I don't give a crap
which party is in power.

[Maple]

24. Simple manners

America doesn't win any friends by sneering at the efforts of others to help...whether you personally approve of the cause or not.

Whether it's a war, or a relief effort for New Orleans, (which Norway also helped with) being too sniffy to even say thanks...worse yet, discounting all other efforts as meaningless...doesn't help you in the world community.

And next time there's a cause you DO approve of...who's going to bother lifting a finger for you?

[bemildred]

39. You have a lot of nerve to mention manners.

I sneered at nobody, and certainly not Norway,
that's all in your head. And I am not "America" either.

The next time there is a cause I do approve of, I expect
that people that agree with me will lend a hand, and not
otherwise, what else would you expect?

[indigo32]

44. This American

understands what you are trying to say.

I'm glad Norwegians made the decision to leave though.

[bemildred]

45. Sir, I understand what he is trying to say.

It just has nothing to do with what I said.

[indigo32]

48. I'm not a sir - nt

[bemildred]

55. Very well then, "My fellow American".

[Maple]

52. Thank you

I'm glad they left as well. The 'coalition' is certainly dwindling.

[amber dog democrat]

25. They should not have been in Iraq in the first place

and we ought not to be either. I don't see the other countries there as allies as much as they are aiding in war crimes. More like enablers.
A real ally would stay out of an immoral war.

[Maple]

28. Your country asked for help

Others responded.

Sneering at people who help is never good form.

It pretty much guarantees you won't get any help in the future...even in something you personally approve of.

[amber dog democrat]

29. sorry but my country does not perpetuate unjustified invasions

somebody else is in charge. We have been under a coup d'etat ever since 2000 and I take no responsibility for what has happened since. It has not been done in my name and for no cause I believe in.

[Maple]

30. Americans are their own worst enemy

Whether you like it or not, other countries responded to your call for help...in Iraq which you personally don't approve of, and in New Orleans relief which you do personally approve of.

People died you know...people from other countries...to help you.

If you're glad they're now leaving..fine. Cheer them. Thank them for doing so if you like

But don't tell them their efforts were worthless and meaningless just because you have a disagreement with your own political leadership.

[amber dog democrat]

31. we need to agree to disagree here.

I never asked for help in Iraq. The thugs who have control of the government might have... if only to justify their actions and lend credence to the myth that we are somehow benefiting the people in Iraq. At best we are faced with a similar situation that the Soviets encountered in Afghanistan.

It would be like the Third Reich asking Italy for help when it invaded Poland. A war crime is still a war crime.

The sad thing is that these efforts are worthless and meaningless in support of a bad cause. I have to say the ends do not justify the means, if anyone in this mess did indeed mean well. Maybe some did but like Blair, they betrayed themselves by joining in. Just accept it that for some, there is no support for this war. A friend would not help me break into someone's car or house. I see no difference.

[Maple]

32. Feel free

but your president...however much YOU dislike him...did.

And next time you want help...on something you approve of...you'll find fewer takers.

Like I said...disapprove all you want. Cheer Norway for leaving.

But don't disparage the price they paid. Your self-righteousness is cold comfort to the widows.

Nothing ANY president EVER does will have the full 100% approval of the American people. Other countries can only go by whoever gets elected. Not by what each and every individual citizen thinks.

[amber dog democrat]

33. The Chimp is not my president.

and never was. I am just waiting this out until the neocons are out of power and hopefully this poor excuse for a demagogue is impeached and some of his enablers in prison.

I can't think anything they have done with respect to foreign policy is legitimate.

I truly feel we are not under a legitimate government. Its more like we are under an occupation. This goes back to the stolen election of 2000. The negligence and war crimes that followed just add more to that side of the scales. This is the Chimp's war, entered under false pretenses. America betrayed itself as it did in Vietnam. For what its worth, I am a Vietnam era veteran who did not believe in that war either. If other countries were gullible enough to get drawn into this, I feel sorry for them.

[Maple]

34. If you're an American, he is

whether you like it or not.

And that doesn't give you the right to sneer at Norwegians.

I'm a Canadian...we didn't participate for precisely this reason.

We've been down this road before. We're wonderful people when we agree with you...and pond scum when we don't.

And we don't get credit or thanks either way.

We didn't participate in Viet Nam either. Spoke out against it in fact.

Lyndon Johnson grabbed our PM by the lapels and physically shook him for doing so.

If we were a more warlike bunch...

[amber dog democrat]

38. Why would Norwegans care that I don't believe they had business in Iraq ?

and again, I don't understand your concern either. Literally speaking, you don't have a dog in this fight. So why do you care?

And again, Bush is not a legitimate pesident. The dangers of acting on this opinion as a matter of principle are evident - especially if one keeps in mind
the suspension of civil rights. Again, he does not speak for me, act in my interests or behalf.

I welcome the departure of Norway from the US led invasion and occupation of Iraq.
I welcomed the departure of Spanish forces and other nations wise enough to pull their people out. They had no business being there in the first place, unless
it was agreed on that having a share of the access to Middle Eastern oil deposits was a strategic national interest. Maybe the US would be willing to divvy it up with them - who knows ?

But I think they were misled, duped into contributing forces, the same way many Americans were misled into voting for the Chimp. This so-called president is a con artist and crook. He also happens to be a serial killer and most of his family are morally and ethically challenged, If a bunch of powerfully connected opportunists managed to engineer a way to get him appointed to the presidency via the Supreme Court - then he is not my president.

He never was.

[Maple]

53. I welcome their exit as well

My objection was to "Purely symbolic, Norway is not carrying much weight in Iraq anyway"

That's the same thing that's been said about every other country that's pulled out.

The gratitude for their initial help, and then for their withdrawal is underwhelming to say the least.

[txaslftist]

49. Your leaving Iraq helps us, really it does.

It strips legitimacy from the outlaw regime occupying our White House, and hopefully will lead to an earlier departure by the US.

So thank you for coming to our aid, and thank you for leaving.

[IChing]

10. F&ck you...the coalition of the subversived.

who is telling you you can take a piss on norway? MZ. RIce?

World Opinion, is worth more than yours.

On the weight of your option.

[IChing]

11. I guess that is why you are called Be mild red

[bemildred]

13. Have a beer, relax, you'll feel better.

:beer:

[IChing]

23. thanks in your world opinion

[bemildred]

43. It was my pleasure, Sir. nt

[mogster]

42. That is true

10 or 20 officers remained from a task force of 170 - engineering company, meant to rebuild, submitted right after Bush declared his mission accomplished.

[Arkansas Granny]

46. Apparently only about 10 engineers are left. Troops (about 150)

left sometime last year.

[kurtyboy]

54. Some other symbolic participating nations:

Country: Total fatalities

Bulgaria: 13
Denmark: 1
El Salvador: 2
Estonia: 2
Hungary: 1
Italy: 27
Kazakhstan: 1
Latvia: 1
Netherlands: 2
Poland: 17
Slovakia: 3
Spain: 11
Thailand: 2
Ukraine: 18

[malaise]

37. Denmark is next

as Danish anti-war protesters are on their way to Iraq. One mistake from the US/Iraqi forces and Denmark will pull out.

[marbuc]

4. Coalition of the leaving?

[Endangered Specie]

16. haha, so true

[buddysmellgood]

5. Norway was in Iraq?

[Bosun]

47. from the start (sort of)

The soon-to-be replaced government was a particularly grovelling lot and would have loved to send troops from the beginning. Also the American Ambassador (John Doyle Ong) made it clear we were expected to when he stated that Norway shouldn't count on support from the US if we were attacked unless we joined in the attack on Iraq. -Good to know how seriously the US takes its NATO obligations...

Anyway the people was and is overwhelmingly opposed to the war and made any attempt to send troops political suicide. So instead Norway lent a bunch of equipment (electronic warfare equipment, artillery radars etc.) to Britain through the usual NATO channels, thus placating the US somewhat. Not actually part of the coalition, but still contributing more than many members of the so-called coalition of the willing.
Then there was 'misision accomplished' and an 'end' to the war. Now the government eager to get back in the graces of Washington had an official end to the war, and the UN to back the sending of peacekeepers to rebuild Iraq. Which they, of course, did as the first (only?) non-coalition nation. Officially the soldiers were not part of the occupation, but rather there simply for rebuilding the country.

[amber dog democrat]

7. they're smart to declare something and get out.

while they can. I wish ours could leave too.

[bemildred]

18. I think he's representing his constituency.

The thing about this is the flat-out undiplomatic way he puts it.
Ordering them out as soon as he takes office, not talks, no plans,
no nothing.

[amber dog democrat]

27. This is just plain smart.

Honestly, how are they helping?

[txaslftist]

50. Good Lord. Why should Norway be diplomatic to us?

Aside from self-interest, I mean?

We've been complete pricks to the rest of the world and we want them to talk nicey nicey to us?

[truthisfreedom]

8. his symbolic coalition is crumbling to depleted uranium dust.

[DemInDistress]

9. Another one bites the dust....

"Quitters never win..Winners never quit.But those who never win or
quit are idiots".

[dooner]

14. "In Praise of Norway"

See story from yesterday.. those Norwegians are on a roll!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4776889&mesg_id=4776889

[Erika]

17. And, again, why are we there?

It just goes on and on. We were suppose to be home from Iraq in 6 months and their oil revenues were supposed to pay all costs. Do Bushbots have No sense of reality? See www.icasualties.org for a true picture of W's misadventures.

[Amonester]

67. Add this one too the list also: http://www.costofwar.com

It's getting closer to $200 G every day (much more than the cost of the first hypothetical Universal Health Care Program for the U.S gone in fumes thanks to the PNAC and their Criminal-in-chief?) :cry:

[Voltaire99]

21. Evidently, Norwegian leaders are smarter than Hillary, Biden, Dean, et al.

Sen. Byrd gets it. What's holding up the rest of the imperialist fools?

[Nihil]

35. "What's holding up the rest of the imperialist fools?"

Their bribes.

[Mari333]

40. someone forgot to mention Poland

what about Poland?

[txaslftist]

51. Well, I know some good Polish jokes...

"how can you identify the Polish submarines?"

"What do you call a roll of toilet paper and a match?"

Well, okay, not necessarily "good" Polish jokes.

[mogster]

41. See also this post

A translated article from a Norw. paper:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4790835&mesg_id=4790835

Change of government, change of policy.

I wish that the same happened in the US ;-)

[struggle4progress]

56. Norway to Withdraw Soldiers From Iraq

STOCKHOLM (Xinhuanet) -- The newly elected Norwegian government led by Jens Stoltenberg wants to withdraw Norwegian soldiers from Iraq, Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported on Friday. <snip>

The so-called red-green alliance won Monday's Norwegian parliamentary election. The big winner was the Labor Party, and party leader Jens Stoltenberg will be the new prime minister, leading a coalition government of Labor, the Socialist Left and the Agrarians.

Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that he had a chance to inform US President George Bush of the general nature of the new government's foreign policy when Bush called to congratulate him on his election victory.

According to the NRK, Stoltenberg took the opportunity to assure Bush that Norway would continue its existing defense and security policy under the new left-center coalition, and take partin the global struggle against terrorism -- but that they would also be withdrawing their remaining officers in Iraq. <snip> http://www.aina.org/news/20050916163707.htm

[wtmusic]

57. I guess we have to get this news about Norway from China

because no one will broadcast it here.

[opihimoimoi]

58. OH Oh...poor Bush, all his friends are leaving him on the ball field

He can still play but with only a few ...like Tonga and Tuva....

[TomInTib]

59. Well, there go the snowmobiles n/t

[loro mi dicevano]

60. Heia Norge! That's such a refreshing headline.

[The Sushi Bandit]

61. Hello and farewell from Bush

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1116497.ece

US President George W. Bush spoke with both the incoming and outgoing prime ministers of Norway on Thursday.

Incoming Labor Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that he had a chance to inform President Bush of the general nature of the new government's foreign policy when the USA's leader called with congratulations on his election victory.

Stoltenberg took the opportunity to assure Bush that Norway would continue its existing defense and security policy under the new left-center coalition, and take part in the global struggle against terrorism - but that they would also be withdrawing their remaining officers in Iraq.

[Fridays Child]

62. Damn misleading headline.

I thought the chimp might be leaving. Damn. :(

[unrepuke]

65. Yes..."Hello, I must be going"__________Dr. Quackenbush (Groucho)

[RONSTOO]

63. yada yada

blah... at least Norway hAS THEIR SHIT TOGETHER MORE THAN US

[Ruffhowse]

64. Norway-rated best quality of life country for the last 5 years. They

are obviously doing something right. Like a social-democratic government that takes care of it's people first.

[rodeodance]

66. I was there last summer. many people went across the border to

buy things. like wine, meat. Norway is a very expensive place to visit.