BS Makes The

[CHIMO]

Grass grow green.

In Part one, 1:37 into the section gets us to the section on the fighting in Afghanistan.

Questioned on the high percentage of Canadian deaths vs. Dutch deaths the Major blows smoke.

And why not. No one told the Netherland people that they would be fighting a war. But slowly, and gradually they are being dragged into the mess. One can only hope that the dead band has been reached and the world will change. If it keeps on expanding there will be little hope.

http://cbc.ca/asithappens/media/dailyshow/2006-09-04-aih1.ram

http://www.cbc.ca/aih/latestshow.html

Medusa: a NATO operation 'under construction'

Troops taking part of NATO's ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan are now engaged in their first major offensive. They're not only coming up against the Taliban, but also logistical and other - teething - problems. Although the Dutch ISAF troops are not taking part in this operation - codenamed Medusa - it is having an impact on them, too.

ISAF's mandate is not to kill as many Taliban fighters as possible - although events of recent days may have appeared to indicate otherwise - but to smooth the way for the reconstruction effort. This is why Operation Medusa is focused on Panjwai, a region to the west of the provincial capital, Kandahar, which is - according to NATO spokesman Mark Laity - one of great economic importance:

Security role
So far, the Netherlands' contribution to Operation Medusa has consisted of Dutch troops taking over responsibility for security at the Canadian base 'Marcello', close to Kandahar, so that Canadian forces are free to hunt down the Taliban.

The Dutch troops are, therefore, not directly engaged in the fighting. However, in order for them to relieve Canadians in this way they have now been deployed outside the area of their mandate (the province of Uruzgan). Last week, Dutch ISAF commander Theo Vleugels sparked off a fierce debate back in the Netherlands when he pointed out that such a potential risky movement of the Dutch troops is allowed under their current mandate, provided it is temporary one.

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/afg060904mc

Press Review 29 August 2006
Tuesdayby Marijke van der Meer

29-08-2006

One international issue that holds the constant attention of the Dutch press nowadays is Afghanistan. The Netherlands has deployed a large contingent of troops there, and a constant stream of Dutch reporters is closely watching developments. Today we read a detailed report in de Volkskrant, which appears under the headline: "Trial of strength with Taliban will come sooner or later".

"The south of Afghanistan is on fire, or rather ablaze", the reporter writes. "The Taliban are no longer limiting themselves to roadside bombs and suicide attacks, but are openly engaged in battles with ISAF troops in the north of Helmand and west of Kandahar." The article quotes a think-tank expert who says, "We have been waging a cheap war and have established a cheap peace."
According to de Volkskrant, "Disappointment about widespread corruption, a lack of progress in reconstruction and the hiring of warlords as local authorities has driven large parts of the population into the arms of the Taliban."

In NRC.next, on the other hand, we read that the situation in Uruzgan province, where the Dutch troops are stationed, is calm and that "the soldiers can at least for the time being survey the area on foot and in unarmoured vehicles." Dutch commander Theo Vleugels tells NRC.next that "Of course. Absolutely," the Dutch troops could be called on to help their British and Canadian counterparts in Kandahar and Helmand if the situation remains as violent as it now

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/pr/pr060829

And I would like to give Carol Off a big welcome to AIH. Still enjoying the show many, many years later.