Basescu: Romania will not send troops to Lebanon

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

President Traian Basescu acknowledged Israel's right to its own security, but announced that the government will not send troops to Lebanon. "Neither I, nor the Army chief of staff have engaged the country in such a mission," the president said.
The president said that Romania abides by the international accords it has signed, but added that it would be best if the United Nations Security Council would find a solution to the crisis in the Middle East.
Basescu said Friday that Romania has the capability to contribute troops to an international peacekeeping force as part of efforts to stop fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
"The international community can count on Romania's support to restore peace in Lebanon and guarantee the security of Israel," Basescu was quoted as saying by news agency Mediafax while on an official visit to the U.S.
Basescu's statement on sending troops to Lebanon comes amid a dispute with Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu over whether to bring home the country's 800 troops deployed in Iraq.
The president assured his U.S. counterpart that the government will agree to send troops to Lebanon if an international decision in this respect is made.
He guaranteed President Bush that Romania is capable of contributing with troops and fulfilling its NATO duties.
Basescu pointed out that authorities are concerned about the situation of the thousands of Romanians residing in Israel.
Romania evacuated about 500 citizens and their Lebanese children or spouses from Lebanon. Tens of thousands of Romanians work in Israel, a country that is also home to about 400,000 Romanian Jews.

more: http://www.daily-news.ro/article_detail.php?idarticle=29403

[tocqueville]

1. so what's new ? France said exactly the same thing

that is to say : troops AFTER an implemented cease fire, prisoner exchange and settlement. What do they expect ? a force in the middle shooting in both directions ?

[David__77]

2. "Romania will not carry water for U.S. and Israel"

If the U.S. wants troops, let the U.S. supply them. And then they can face the just opposition of the Lebanese people.

[saigon68]

3. The Coalition of the Unwilling

[Supersedeas]

4. Soon to be a member of the Coalition of the Arm-Twisted

[noonwitch]

5. Romania has a military?

It can't be a very large one.