MPs more positive on Afghan mission

Parliamentary defence experts are more positive about extending the Dutch mission to rebuild Afghanistan after the current mandate expires in August 2008, news agency ANP reports.


Some 12 MPs were in Afghanistan recently on a fact-finding mission where they met Australian defence minister Brendan Nelson. Australian troops are serving alongside Dutch soildiers in Uruzgan.
According to Australian newspapers, Nelson warned Dutch MPs that a decision to remove their troops from southern Afghanistan could lead to the withdrawal of Australia’s military personnel in the area.
Meanwhile, a poll in Friday’s AD shows that over half the Dutch think the Netherlands should not extend its mission in Uruzgan and should pull out immediately. The government is due to take its decision next month.

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