US seeks European troops for Iraq (BBC)

[madison2000]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4077631.stm

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has been pushing European nations to commit more forces to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A statement by Nato foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, said the alliance wanted to enhance and expand its commitments in those countries. But there was no sign the Europeans had come up with the numbers requested.

However, amid calls for improved ties between the US and Europe, diplomats said President George W Bush will visit Brussels on 22 February next year.

Mr Bush is expected to meet Nato and European Union leaders during what would be the first overseas visit after his inauguration in January.

[mmonk]

1. What a joke.

What's the admin's point? Nobody wants to align themselves with the Iraq conquest.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. yeah, right

They want ice water in Hell too.

[lebkuchen]

3. This request will separate the European sane from insane

Germans and French would never put up with combat troops in Iraq. The protests would be enormous. Spain's not going back in.

I say let the UK, Italy and Australia commit more troops.

[hvn_nbr_2]

5. Don't forget Poland. n/t

[SweetLeftFoot]

9. Troops

Blair will be very unlikely to commit more troops in what will be an election year. Berlusconi has enough problems without enraging his people any more and Howard is far too crafty to make that mistake.

[blackhorse]

12. I can't believe ...

the administration has the gaul to ask for European support from the very countries they ridiculed and insulted before the invasion. The U.S. is lucky that Germany is willing to send troops to Afghanistan to help out there.

I don't think U.S. foreign policy has seen such a low for a very long while.

Cheers

BH

[madison2000]

4. And I'm sure they'll be more responsive to Condi

than to Colin Powell...NOT!

[moondust]

6. What part of "NO" don't they understand?

You're on your own, George, just as you insisted. Everybody knows you desperately need other peoples' blood, limbs, and organs for your sacrificial rites. I'd suggest you try contacting Jenna and Barbara first.

[bluedeminredstate]

8. There's a whole passel of Bushies

of age! Between Neil, Jeb, Marvin and George, I think they could probably cough up 8 or 10! Does the Army take junkies?

[Kellanved]

13. I guess he wants to learn it in a few other languages

eom

[priller]

7. Good luck with that, Colin!

Another humiliating task before he leaves. I really hope he writes a book and reams the Bushies good, but I fear he won't. You know, "good soldier" bullshit and all that.

[JPace]

10. "I really hope he writes a book"

I thought he would have served his country better by resigning in protest long ago, but a tell all book would help make up for that.

We will see if he has the balls to do it.....

[leftchick]

11. ROFLMAO....

this is a joke, right? Colin must have the US grovel down pat now.

:crazy:

[cliss]

14. They just never give up, do they?

I used to think they'd never get the message that Europe and other poor allies don't want to get involved.

However, after 4 years of wondering, now I realize they know, and they just don't care.

Bush just sees Europe as another state, to be used & abused.

[kskiska]

15. Oh boy, remember how before they launched this war

they sneered that any nation that didn't help out wouldn't share in the spoils? Now BushCo is visiting Old Europe, tin cup in hand, hoping for a handout to allow * to get out of there.