Dutch landing in Indonesia film

[Lang]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Exactly. Our goverment fell recently over the "to stay or not to stay" question. They had put down an end date and one of the coalition parties tried to change the public mind. Presumed public pressure led to the other big party in the goverment coalition to take a stand and keep their word of pulling out this year after we finish our tour.

Yes I know, some people think it is the same thing, but it has little to do with the quality of the job our military are doing in Afghanistan.

Hanno,

As you know the Australian and Dutch troops share the same camp in Afghanistan. We were approached by Obama to replace the Dutch when they withdrew but I think the Australian Government have got wind of the discontent in the community about our involvement in yet another no-win war and declined. So we stay at a couple of thousand troops - forever???

They did concede to send a few more Chinook Army helicopters but no more infantry.

Lang