Demagogue

Bremer: Dutch should extend Iraq mission

The former civilian administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, believes that Dutch peacekeeping troops should stay in Iraq longer than the planned March withdrawal.

"The Netherlands is one of the world's oldest democracies. You should welcome one of the newest."

The Dutch Cabinet is still planning to withdraw its 1,350 soldiers from Iraq in March. The Netherlands has had troops deployed in the southern Iraqi province al-Muthanna since the summer of 2003. Two Dutch soldiers have been killed since the mission started.

But [center-right] government coalition parties Liberal VVD and Christian Democrat CDA are in favour of extending the mission and MPs will debate the issue in the lower House of Parliament at the end of this month.

The Dutch deployment was post-Mission Accomplished, of course. And though the Sunni Triangle continues to be a disaster, the Dutch are keeping an eye on a much quieter patch of territory. Just as well, considering how badly they screwed up Srebrenica.