Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: Yes! Kiwiland says: fuck you bush!!!!

Kiwi troops coming home
16 September 2004
By HANK SCHOUTEN
New Zealand's troops are pulling out of Iraq under a cloak of secrecy as
security deteriorates in the battle to control the war-torn country.
Nearly 100 people have been killed in attacks in Baghdad and Baquba this
week, while Australia has sent a "logistics team" to Iraq to determine
whether two of its nationals are being held hostage.
The New Zealand Defence Force is refusing to give any details of the
withdrawal of the 60-strong Kiwi military engineering contingent, which has
been hunkered down in Basra for the past five weeks as violence escalates
throughout Iraq.
"We do not discuss troop movements in circumstances like this where security
is a factor," Defence spokeswoman Sandy McKie said. However, it is
understood they are pulling out this week.
The engineers have been in Basra since last September, mainly to help in
civil reconstruction around the southern Iraqi city. The contingent was
rotated in March and the commitment was scheduled to end this month, with
the proviso they would come out earlier if they were no longer able to do
their work.
The lightly armed engineers have helped restore water treatment plants and
fix municipal infrastructure including schools, police stations and bridges.
That work all but stopped early last month when fighting spread south from
Najaf. The New Zealanders were confined to Fortress Lines, the base they
have shared for the past year with British forces.
The battle for control of Iraq has seen a succession of bombings and attacks
on a range of military and civilian targets.
Former defence chief Air Marshal Carey Adamson said "everyone will be
pleased to see our troops come home in one piece".
The situation in Iraq was very different from a year ago.
Our troops were sent in a non-combatant role "but what's happening now is
that everyone's a combatant whether they want to be one or not. As time has
gone on the situation has become much more lethal and no one can guarantee
their absolute safety."
He said if there was to be any further New Zealand military commitment to
Iraq, things would have to change - they would need to be combat-ready
forces and probably well-equipped special forces who could be useful in this
war with no front line.
"Obviously it is going to be a much more warlike situation for some time to
come so any military involvement has got to be with force of arms."
Two New Zealand officers have been wounded in Iraq in the past 13 months.
The engineering contingent has been confined to its base several times this
year after incidents in the Basra area.
An unknown number of New Zealanders are still in Iraq, drawn by the prospect
of lucrative, but dangerous contract work. These are believed to include
former soldiers and police engaged on security work.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Jonathan Schwass said there were unofficial
estimates recently that about 50 Kiwis were in Iraq. The ministry advised
all New Zealanders to stay out of Iraq, where an increasing number of
foreigners are being taken hostage.
K
-- 
Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations 
and epochs, it is the rule.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

 withdrawal 
It's hard to soar with eagles when you are a flightless turkey.
<:3)-
-- 
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still better than a flying pig as you are...
Your place is in a circus...
K 

 still better 
Withdrawal, the kiwi's strategy.
(running of course, not flying)
Scappa kiwi, scappa.


 
Eagles may soar but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines