Netherlands says 'enough', troops leave Afghanistan

[Bluebear]

(CNN) -- The Netherlands became the first NATO ally to pull combat troops out of Afghanistan on Sunday as it handed over its mission in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province to U.S. and Australian forces.

At the peak of their commitment, the Dutch had nearly 2,000 troops in Afghanistan. Some staff units remain in Afghanistan, according to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, but the Dutch government said the last of its troops will return by December.

"The past four years brought the population of Uruzgan great improvements," the Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday. "Regrettably, the Netherlands is saddened by its 24 war casualties and 140 wounded."

The Dutch government already had extended its mission by two years. NATO requested another extension as the United States and its allies beefed up forces at the end of 2009, but opposition to the proposal brought down Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's ruling coalition in February.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/01/afghanistan.netherlands/

[gratuitous]

1. Uh oh, Time magazine is gonna be sore

They just devoted their cover to what would happen if we leave Afghanistan by showing us a graphic photo of something that happened . . . while we were in Afghanistan.

[Uncle_Gunnysack]

4. The implications of the repercussions are mind boggling.

[Starry Messenger]

2. Good.

A country with sense.

[Bluebear]

6. Get ready for Freedom Ovens and going Freedom Treat.

[Starry Messenger]

7. lol!

:rofl:

Freedom Doors!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_door

[Contrary1]

8. Don't forget Freedom Apple Pie.

[Bluebear]

9. :))

[Edweird]

3. Good for them.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. I hope all our (arm twisted) allies leave.

Its the right thing to do.