Tonga sends 44 troops to help US in Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Last Update: Tuesday, June 15, 2004. 6:00pm (AEST)
Tonga sends 44 troops to help US in Iraq

The small South Pacific kingdom of Tonga has sent 44 soldiers to join the United States-led forces in Iraq.

Tonga, with a population of 100,000 spread over 170 coral islands 2,000 kilometres north of New Zealand, was an original member of the so-called "coalition of the willing" who lent military, political or moral support to invasion.

Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata said Tonga was obliged to make a commitment when the US asked for assistance.

"We remember when the United States came to defend Tonga and the region during the Second World War ... but Tonga's contribution to the effort to bring peace and stability to Iraq is only relative to what we can afford," he said.
(snip/...)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1132433.htm


Tonga people


Our foreign policy advisor

[Piperay]

1. WOW, chimp must

be thrilled. }(

[rpannier]

2. Problem solved

With the mighty military might of Tonga sending 45 troops, the problems in Iraq will be over in a few days. Glad they're coming and not some 2nd rate military, like France or Germany.
On a serious note, I wonder what we're giving them for the troops?

[soothsayer]

3. Well, they're bigger than most folks

So I'll bet those 44 huge soldiers can do some damage...!

Very cute story. Poor Tonganese.

[huellewig]

4. Hey bush..

RPG beats Spear every time. Just like scissors beats paper. Did the people of Tonga get a new Intel plant in exchange?


I don't mean to disrespect to people of Tonga. I wish we could fight with horns like the Rhinoceroses. Funny that the animal kingdom should teach us about how to be civilized.

[sniffa]

5. don't mess with tonga

wiLL we see the shiLLs bragging about this? what wiLL hannity say?

[James T. Kirk]

6. Does anyone have a list of the countries that have troops in Iraq?

I haven't seen an updated list in a while.

"Tonga...has a 400-person defence service, made up of a headquarters platoon and a light infantry company, according to the US State Department web site."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1132433.htm

[Bhaisahab]

7. if the invasion had any legitimacy, this wouldn't be news...

what a sad, pathetic comment on the coalition of the willing.