U.S. voices concern over Dutch reluctance on Afghanistan mission

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. voices concern over Dutch reluctance on Afghanistan mission

www.chinaview.cn 2006-01-11 00:52:25

BRUSSELS, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States is "perplexed" by Dutch hesitation over sending more troops to Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official said in an interview published on Tuesday.

U.S. Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs Daniel Fried told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant that he does not understand why the Netherlands could not commit itself to sending another 1,200 troops to southern Afghanistan as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s expansion to the south of the country.

"I feel that NATO does good things. I believe that the U.S. and the EU (European Union) do good things in the world. I am therefore perplexed by the debate in the Netherlands," he said.

This is the first time that a U.S. government official has made clear that Washington is getting impatient with the Dutch attitude toward the Afghanistan mission.
(snip/...)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/11/content_4035794.htm

[Dhalgren]

1. Maybe the US ain't the boss of the Dutch...yet...

[Charlie Brown]

2. Can you imagine if another country said that about us

If Greece said it was our obligation to send more troops to Kosovo, or if Egypt chastized us for reluctance in sending troops to Sudan, talk radio would be aflame with bitter comments and nasty rhetoric regarding the people in those countries. The US has become a double-standard and a bully.

Also, the Dutch have their own infrastructure and interests to consider. It's not like they're a world power. Taking on NATO responsibilities in Afghanistan would suck up a lot of resources.

[daleo]

3. Dutch troops to Afghanistan frees up U.S. troops for Iraq/Iran

That could be part of the reluctance. Plus, the Afghanistan mission is beginning to seem rather uncertain as to its objectives, political goals, etc.

[High Plains]

4. Things are going so well there. Check out this US embassy

warning:

Warden Message
1/9/2006

Travel Warning

This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in Afghanistan. The security threat to all American citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan issued June 09, 2005.

The Department of State strongly warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan. There is an ongoing threat to kidnap and assassinate U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country. The ability of Afghan authorities to maintain order and ensure the security of citizens and visitors is limited. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the terrorist al-Qaida network, and other groups hostile to the government, remain active. U.S.-led military operations continue. Travel in all areas of Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, is unsafe due to military operations, landmines, banditry, armed rivalry among political and tribal groups, and the possibility of terrorist attacks, including attacks using vehicular or other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and kidnapping. The security environment remains volatile and unpredictable.

Attacks on international organizations, international aid workers, and foreign interests have continued throughout the year. Foreigners in Kabul and elsewhere throughout the country were targeted for violent attacks and kidnappings. In late August, a British security guard in Farah was kidnapped and executed. In November, an Indian engineer in Nimroz was kidnapped and killed. Attacks on Afghan workers affiliated with international organizations occurred throughout the country, sometimes resulting in fatalities. There have been several rocket attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan, including multiple attacks early on October 12 that targeted a Canadian ISAF camp (Camp Julian), an area near the Canadian Ambassador's house (close to the U.S. Embassy), and the Afghan National Department of Security headquarters, as well as an October 25 rocket-propelled grenade attack on a NGO in Faisabad.

Improvised explosive device (IED) and particularly, vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacks, are on the rise. Several U.S. Embassy employees were injured in an IED attack in Kabul on August 21. Dozens of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were wounded or killed September 28 in a VBIED attack on an Afghan National Army convoy traveling on the Kabul-Jalalabad Road (commonly called the Jalalabad Road). On November 14, multiple bombings occurred in Kabul on this road, also killing and injuring several ISAF and Afghan individuals. Because the Embassy has also received other information over the past several months about potential threat of other attacks on Jalalabad Road, use of this road generally is restricted for Embassy employees and, if the security situation warrants, sometimes is curtailed completely.

Family members of official Americans assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul are not allowed to reside in Afghanistan. In addition, unofficial travel to Afghanistan by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy places areas frequented by foreigners off limits to its personnel depending on current security conditions. Potential target areas include key national or international government establishments, international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel, and public areas popular with the expatriate community. Private U.S. citizens are strongly urged to heed these restrictions as well and may obtain the latest information by calling the U.S. Embassy in Kabul or consulting the embassy website below. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, bombings, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional weapons such as explosive devises or non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents.

The United States Embassy cannot provide visa services, and its ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is limited. Afghan authorities also can provide only limited assistance to U.S. citizens facing difficulties. U.S. citizens who choose to visit or remain in Afghanistan despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, and avoid rallies and demonstrations. They are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, <https://travelregistration.state.gov>, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Afghanistan. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. Registering makes it easier for the Embassy to contact Americans in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Great Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health (the road is also known as Bebe Mahro (Airport) Road), Kabul. The phone number is [phone] or [phone]. The Embassy website is <http://afghanistan.usembassy.gov>.

Updated information on travel and security in Afghanistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Afghanistan <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1056.html> and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html> which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at <http://travel.state.gov>.

For recorded travel information, call 202-647-5225.


Sincerely,

Consular Section
U.S. Embassy
Kabul, Afghanistan

[cliss]

5. Well, there you have it.

After I read your post, I went back up to the comment "I am therefore perplexed by the debate in the Netherlands".

Maybe someone should send him this bulletin:smoke:

[Critters2]

6. Reminds me

of the "We liberated France, so now they should do what we tell'em" argument. People used to get awfully testy when I'd point out that, if they have to do what we tell'em, then we didn't liberate 'em, we colonized 'em. These damned Europeans and their insistence on behaving like sovereign nations!! I say we invade'em, liberate 'em, and then make 'em act grateful!!

[Spazito]

7. Gosh, could it be because Afghanistan is a powder keg getting

set to blow and they don't want their soldiers dying for a US mistake? I only wish Canada would take the same view as the Dutch and get our troops out of there!

[pinerow]

9. We'll fight them in Holland so that...oh, never mind...

:wtf:

[gratuitous]

8. Maybe the Dutch learned a little lesson from the Soviets

Stick your hand in the garbage disposal, there's a good chance it'll get mangled. But Daniel Fried is "perplexed" that the Dutch don't want to take a little chance. There's no intelligence test, I take it, to be an administration under-secretary of state.