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Danish Resolve -- Soldiers Remain in Iraq, PM Decision Popular
We are not alone (yes, I know we knew that, but like being told we're beautiful, its always good to hear it again). From the Wall Street Journal, reprinted in full.'The time has come to take a stance . . . the choice is between dictatorship and democracy." These words were spoken almost two years ago, shortly after George W. Bush had given Saddam Hussein an ultimatum to come clean or face war. But it was not the U.S. president who made this statement -- although it very much sounded like him. It was Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. And indeed, Mr. Rasmussen did take a stance. Denmark was one of only five countries that actually sent fighting troops to Iraq -- the others being of course the U.S., Britain, Poland and Australia. When, after last year's Madrid train bombings, the new Socialist government in Spain decided to hastily withdraw its troops from Iraq, Mr. Rasmussen dismissed speculation that his country might cut and run as well: "That would be a victory for the terrorists and be a fatal sign that terrorism pays," he said. At the moment, 525 Danish troops are serving in Basra under British command. Just two months ago, the Danish parliament overwhelmingly voted to extend the contingent's stay in Iraq. Lawmakers also voted to increase the number of Danish soldiers serving in Afghanistan fivefold -- from 50 to up to 250. And last year, this country of only 5.5 million people decided to increase its defense budget and reorganize its military so it can double the number of soldiers it can dispatch on international missions to 2,000. Being a staunch U.S. ally has not hurt Mr. Rasmussen's popularity -- to the contrary. Last week, the prime minister decided to hold early general elections on Feb. 8. Opinion polls suggest that his governing coalition will retain its majority in parliament. Opposition Social Democrats plan to make the war a campaign issue, but it is not likely to be decisive in the election. Danes have been about evenly split on Iraq, making this probably the most pro-U.S. country in Europe. The general public is much more concerned about the economy, jobs, immigration and the welfare system. And here Mr. Rasmussen and his Liberal Party score high marks. Like the other two war leaders who recently won re-elections, Mr. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Mr. Rasmussen is also an economic reformer -- albeit a more cautious one. Introducing true free-market policies is much more difficult in this Scandinavian country with its strong welfare tradition than it is in the Anglo-Saxon world. So Mr. Rasmussen has toned down his policy proposals somewhat from his time in opposition -- although they still mark a dramatic change in Denmark. The government introduced tax cuts last year worth 0.7% of GDP, not much compared to Mr. Bush's tax cuts, worth 2.5% of U.S. GDP, but quite a lot in a country where for decades tax rates have been rising along with the expansion of the welfare state. And it was enough to help boost the economy. After near stagnation in 2003, the economy recovered last year to grow 2.2% and is expected to improve further to 2.5% growth in 2005. Q.E.D.! This year, Mr. Rasmussen is also planning public-sector spending cuts and a shake-up of the health-care and education systems. Mr. Rasmussen seems to have succeeded in convincing his countrymen that change is necessary if they want to keep their welfare state in some form. "Ironically, the Liberals, not the Social Democrats, are seen as the best guarantors of the welfare state," said Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, who teaches political science at the University of Southern Denmark. So economic reform and the participation in the Iraq war are the major policy decisions that define Mr. Rasmussen's first term. It can be no trivial matter that just nine days after Iraq's first free vote in decades, Danes are poised to re-elect the man who ensured that their country would play an important role in making the Iraqi elections possible. No doubt, were Mr. Rasmussen to lose the poll, the antiwar crowd would surely blame it on his support for President Bush's Iraq policy. On the other hand, if he wins it must be seen as confirmation that many ordinary Danes are proud that two years ago, Mr. Rasmussen took a stand. Thank you, Denmark, for once again standing firmly on the side of honour. Posted by: trailing wife 2005-01-24 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=54503 |