WAR: Hungary to Pull its 300 Troops from Iraq

The government of Hungary has succumbed to mounting pressure from it's citizens to withdraw it's 300 non combat troops from Iraq by the end of March. The government had decided to wait till the after the U.S. election results to make this decision.



The pullout of Hungarian troops will only slightly if at all have any affect on the International Coalition in Iraq, since the heaviest load has always been on the shoulders of American troops in Iraq.

COWARDS!

Wait till after the elections??

They are not cowards they are people that realized that Iraq is a lost cause.

Termite197 are you in the military? because if you are not how can you call somebody else cowards, they at least has been in Iraq.

Looks like those with the "screw the world" mentality get to see how we fare on our own as more and more of the Coalition leaves us to our own devices. Some say cowards, I say smart poker players for knowing when to push back from the table and call it a night.

edit: spelling

[edit on 3-11-2004 by alternateheaven]

They are not cowards Marg6043 but thier decision is unfortuate because however small thier contribution to the coalition, cutting and running as soon as is politically possible in face of a terror threat is regretable.

It (wrongly and incorrectly) demonstrates to terrorists anywhere that the tactics of kidnapping and execution is a viable one in war, and sadly as (I fear not if) more Governments succumb to this fear, we will see more of this tactic, not only in the more pliable nations but in countries like my own, even from groups with no common cause with the enemy.

Hungary has not withdrawn because of any change of policy but because they have given in to fear about the terrorist threats.

We are all made hostage by this action.

I also beleive it falsely gives terrorist and insurgent supporters hope that they will eventually be allowed to succeed.

The war only appears to be a lost cause to people like yourself, some of who seem to wish for nothing else. The war is not lost, least of all because we cannot afford to let the likes of Bin Laden, the Madhist Clerics and thier supporters create a true terrorist state in the remanants of Iraq.

I can't call Hungarians cowards, but I do regret thier decision.

I say, good for them. I am so happy all those families get to see their loved ones soon.

craigandrew,

Just a reminder, It was not Iraqi nationals in the 9/11 attacks, and they were mostly Arabs nationals.

The Irony of it is very pityfull.

You're right, Marg6043, they are not cowards.

Why do so many of us have that mentality? Why do we (Americans) so quickly label others as cowards, traitors, spineless and the like? IMHO that's a very arrogant attitude. And so often it comes from those who've never served a day in the service; who've never been under fire; who don't know what they're talking about.

IMO it's a good thing when a government listens to it's people. When 60% of a nation wants a certain action to be taken, or not taken, I think it's a good idea to listen and try to understand they're message. Unlike George Dubya.

Of course, I'm biased and don't think we have any business being there (Iraq) in the first place. So, I'm fully behind those countries who've realized their mistake and have chosen to get out of a lost cause.

IMHO, the invasion of Iraq has nothing to do with terrorism. It was, and still is, all about oil and big business. PERIOD. OBL, who graced us all with his presence just a few days ago, and should have reminded us that the real foe still lurks in the shadows, remains free to continue plotting our demise. We've had over 3 years to capture him, but for some odd reason we just can't seem to do it. Hmmmm ... Meanwhile, those losing their lives in Iraq are played like pawns in a sinister, self-serving game, and the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11 go unavenged, used for political gain only. It really makes no sense, and it's beyond me why people (Americans) are so willing to accept the big lie our "leaders" have told us. Surely the population has fallen under some kind of mind control. Nothing else makes sense. IMO, the far right is freely manipulating moderate Republicans and Bible thumpers for purely political gain.

Back to the point, though, it was the U.S. and Brits who got us into the mess in Iraq, and the U.S. and Brits should get us out of it. Any of the so-called coalition who've opened their eyes and decided to get their troops out of there are free to do so, and they're not cowards for doing it. They're simply enlightened, IMHO ...

Where in my post did I say Iraqis were responsible for 9/11? Did I argue about it being about liberation or commercialism? Bush was an idiot, it was a mistake but the war is there and now so are the groups the War on Terror was supposed to be defeating.

Withdrawing from Iraq will not make it a better place. It not make you any safer. It will not give the likes of Bin Laden and the Madhists are reason to stop, only accelerate and expand thier activities. It will not deliver you a peaceful utopia.

You can examine all points of view, but you cannot isolate it to a rose coloured view of whats going to happen now,or what might happen if it was done your way.

The sum of it all, if we quit we will well and truely get done over. These people (the leaders recruiting willing martyrs) will not be bought off to end it.

The next thing you know it will be criminal gangs doing it for money.

Well, I guess I miss understood your post, so my appology on that Craigandrw.

And by the way the presence of US in Iraq already has created a new breed of terrorist, now we have to deal with the Iraqis themselves the ones we were to liberated.

Originally posted by craigandrew
Hungary has not withdrawn because of any change of policy but because they have given in to fear about the terrorist threats.

The reason of Hungary joining that ficticious "Coalition" was to get the US behind them, in return, in their dealings with the EU, where they have comparatively little weight compared to big boys like France and Germany. Thus, they decided to potentially sacrifice 300 of their own, to buy the favors of the US govt.

No Hungarian in his right mind would believe that invading Iraq was a just cause. It was a calculated European power politics at its worst.

Same goes for Poland, Bulgaria etc.

Now that things get ugly, the deal seems less optimal for the rulers of Hungary and even less palatable to the public, who I don't believe supported this idiotic war in the firstplace.

And, "staying the course" would mean staying there indefinitely. What does it buy for Hungary? Nothing. Zelch.



[edit on 3-11-2004 by Aelita]

I'm expecting all the republicans show an example and not diss Hungarians for this. It's not correct for other countries to criticize US for electing Bush , and it's not correct for other countries to criticize Hungary when they make a democratic choice not to take part any longer.

If Bush got them involved by promising that they have to stay until the election is complete then he shouldn't expect them to stick there till year 3000.

[edit on 3-11-2004 by vibetic]

Americans should not act and think like they own the world. If they want to quit then its their right and we should respect that. In the first place we are the ones that pulled them to it. As some of u noted the war has nothing against terrorism. Its poor stupidity and greedyness of our presidnet

hey this isnt good, hungarians are normally gigantic people i mean there national sport is basically water polo heh heh heh but i say what the hell let them leave its better to have countries who have our full support that half ass countries just wanting to kiss ass momentarily to us

Originally posted by marg6043
craigandrew,

Just a reminder, It was not Iraqi nationals in the 9/11 attacks, and they were mostly Arabs nationals.

The Irony of it is very pityfull.

And how ironic is it that you Marg keep forgetting that Saddam was helping terrorists, including Al Qaeda, althou "apparently" there is no clear evidence he helped Al Qaeda with 9/11....still he supported terrorism, paid families of suicide bombers and was a pro-terrorist dictator who had gone against the UN sanctions at least on banned materials and was making deals in illegal weapons/materials, even thou that money was supposed to help the Iraqis.

Yep, the irony is very "pitifull" indeed.

[edit on 4-11-2004 by Muaddib]

First Costa Rica who gave their support in name only, withdrew by letter their support and now Hungary. I have a question, who is in the coalition?

And how ironic is it that you Marg keep forgetting that Saddam was helping terrorists, including Al Qaeda, althou "apparently" there is no clear evidence he helped Al Qaeda with 9/11....still he supported terrorism, paid families of suicide bombers and was a pro-terrorist dictator who had gone against the UN sanctions at least on banned materials and was making deals in illegal weapons/materials, even thou that money was supposed to help the Iraqis.

Yep, the irony is very "pitifull" indeed.

[edit on 4-11-2004 by Muaddib]

Sure Saddam was an a**hole and a criminal who was breaking the rules I feel no sympathy for him. But exactly what did he do to support terrorism ? Where exactly did these suicide bombers operate he was paying for ? If you don't have clear evidence then even couple of examples should suffice. Any examples ? Please tell us what Marg is forgetting, we'd all like to hear.

[edit on 4-11-2004 by vibetic]

Hungary has not withdrawn because of any change of policy but because they have given in to fear about the terrorist threats.

We are all made hostage by this action.

I also beleive it falsely gives terrorist and insurgent supporters hope that they will eventually be allowed to succeed.

I agree...and had the withdrawal been announced due to lack of meeting a deadline, etc., then they could have still walked away, and not be seen as giving into demands..

And what exactley did Hungary have to fear from Saddam? Nothing. Giving in to "terrorism" just does not wash with me, sorry., Sure accuse them of not supporting the US, fine. That is not a crime.

Hungarian forces had a mandate from the parliament to stay in Iraq until the end of THIS year.
This means that they stay longer than previously planned. So basicly they are doing a favor to Bush. This whole war is quite unpopular amongst the masses, and the extension of the mandate will require a 2/3 approval in the parliament which will be very hard to achieve, becouse the 2 right-wing parties -who are in opposition- occupy almost 50% of the seats and they want the troops to return ASAP.
So, you can call it cowardice..I call it a favor...