Portugal may withdraw troops from Iraq if situation worsens: minister

AFP ^ | April 17, 2004

[RWR8189]

Portugal may withdraw its national guard contingent from Iraq if the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate, Interior Minister Antonio Figueiredo Lopes said.

"If the conflict were to deteriorate and the GNR (national guard) did not have what it required to carry out its mission, the only solution would be to withdraw," he told Antena 1 public radio.

Portugal's centre-right Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso in November dispatched 128 national guards to southern Iraq to back the US-led coalition in the war-torn country, where they operate under British command.

Figueiredo Lopes had said on Wednesday that Lisbon would stand by its pledge to keep its contingent in Iraq despite growing unrest in the country and calls to bring them home.

"We will not abandon this nation which has been so martyred," he had told parliament.

He had also repeated Lisbon's willingness to extend its presence in Iraq even after June 30, when Washington is to hand over sovereignty of the country, if asked to do so by the Iraqi governing authority which will take over.

Left-wing parties argue the nature of their mission has changed to one of engagement in warfare because of the mounting attacks on foreign forces in Iraq and are demanding the national guards be recalled.

Nearly three in four Portuguese, or 71 percent, want the national guards to be withdrawn, a poll published last month found.

[ladtx]

The proximity of Portugal to France and Spain has finally had its effect.

[Mr. Mojo]

Cancer of appeasement on the Iberian peninsula, so it seems.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Europe continues its surrender to terrorism.

[17th Miss Regt]

This man has just invited Muslim terrorist to bomb his country, PLEASE!!!!

[ValerieUSA]

Show some leadership, you wimp. If the situation worsens, you send in more troops and firepower and you WIN. No wonder the world is such a fun place for bullies. Losers look hilariously awkward when they run away.

[End Times Sentinel]

It's times like this when you see who your friends really are.  I'm glad we're finding out that we can't count on most euros so we can plan for it in the future.  Note to Portugal:  When you  come running to us because the islamo-fascists are getting close to achieving their goal of a muslim calphilate in Iberia, don't waste your breath.  Get bent.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[SouthernFreebird]

Did these people not realize they were going to war...?

[nkycincinnatikid]

Yhe AFP headline (french press agency) is pretty misleading. The IM said if the guard did not have what it required to carry out the mission it would follow that they should withdraw. that is fundementally different from the headline.

[Coop]

Real nice, Minister. You just virtually guaranteed your troops will now be targeted. Idiot!

[Bommer]

Damn! Thats sad. Will miss all 12 of the soldiers you've sent!

[treeclimber]

Cut and run, Portugal...we will protect you.

[wiseone]

compared to the real wealthy and equiped military in EU, germany and le frogs, there is no way Portugal could do much militarily anyway
Portugal is at the bottom of EU economically,with numerous problems from illegal immigrants,africans,morocans,crime,drugs etc so Portugal has so many problems,the inclusion of Portugal last year,was more of an attempt of the newly elected PM of Portugal,and his friendhsip with fellow conservative,Aznar from Spain,and his attempt to be a player in EU.

[mewzilla]

No offense to Portugal, but why don't they just paint a big bullseye on their foreheads?! Jeepers.

[Blood of Tyrants]

He is an idiot by announcing that they are on the verge of surrendering. You can virtually guarantee that Portugal will be hit within the next few months.

[AMNZ]

Months, not likely. More like days.

[steveegg]

"If the conflict were to deteriorate and the GNR (national guard) did not have what it required to carry out its mission, the only solution would be to withdraw," he told Antena 1 public radio.

Alternative solution; give the GNR what it needs to carry out its mission.

[beansox]

i never understood why they have to annouce surrender. what exactly is the point of making such announcemnts?
just do it.

[New Horizon]

Brilliant strategery.

By announcing they will withdraw, they have shown their weakness.

They blinked, and now muslims will be all over them...threats, kidnappings, bombings...the usual terrorist activities.

Before this, they probably didn't give a rats a$$ about Portugal.

Nice work.

[NoClones]

another european nation shows its true colors when the going gets tough?