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| Europe |
| Danish Resolve -- Soldiers Remain in Iraq, PM Decision Popular |
| 2005-01-24 |
| 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 |
| #13 Makes me proud to be a Dane. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2005-01-24 3:59:20 PM |
| #12 IIRC: the Danes also make (at least they used to) a point to commemorate the Fourth of July every year. My mother is from Sweden (the southern tip which has been part of Denmark as much as it's been part of Sweden), and she always preferred the Danes to the stuffy, pompous, self-righteous Swedes. |
| Posted by: Xbalanke 2005-01-24 3:16:31 PM |
| #11 I was in Denmark in the late 70s and worked with the Danish army. RWW's observations about the professionalism and enthusiasm of the RDAF would also apply to the ground forces. At the time, lefty peace-think was in full force and the army bore the brunt of it. The appeasement lobby was willing to fund the RDAF and the navy, but even having an army implied that there might actually be fighting on Danish soil. Conventional wisdom at the time held that it was better to run up the white flag if things went that far. This reached its nader when a prominent candidate for PM promised to replace the nation's armed forces with a telephone recording that played "I surrender" in Russian. The troops did the best they could under this regime, which was very well indeed. Among other things, they were still using the WW2 vintage Achilles tank-destroyer. This was the lend-lease M-10 with its American 76mm gun replaced by the British 17-pounder, a much higher velocity gun of the same caliber. The Danish anti-tank types were quick to point out that the APDS round for this could go right through a T-62. They also used the M-41 light tank, which had basically the same 76mm gun as the original M-10. This used the same APDS projectile as the 17-pounder but with a smaller propelling charge. The Danes were completely fascinated by my observations of the M-41 in ARVN hands in Vietnam. It had made short work of the theoretically superior T-55s when these dared to show themselves. The Danish troops largely shared my opinion that Soviet armored superiority was a giant mountain of bullshit, promoted by all sides for their own purposes---by the left to strengthen the appeasement lobby and by the right to get more funding. In all humility, I think events have vindicated that judgement. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2005-01-24 1:52:58 PM |
| #10 They are paying attention. |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2005-01-24 1:50:30 PM |
| #9 In the 1960s and even earlier, Denmark was one of the first countries to adopt pop-lefty think as its national philosophy: hostility to national and collective defense, repeal of pornography and drug laws, saturation media, social welfare taken to the limit. It was therefore well ahead of the rest of Europe on the idiotarian learning curve, and has now progressed very far down the reverse slope. In most of Europe, 60s Think is still fresh, radical, cutting edge cool; in Denmark it is laughable, a relic of a national binge. The rest of the Euros has not even peaked and may not have time to catch up. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2005-01-24 1:23:54 PM |
| #8 Worked with the Danish Air Force in the 80's and found them to be some of the most energetic, innovative, resourceful people around. There aren't many of them, but the ones there are are true professionals and fun to work with. A friend, who at 55 was at that time the oldest fighter pilot on flight status in the Danish AF, almost got booted from the TRIAL MACE exercises for attacking a radar station in his F-35 Draaken at 50 feet. He flew right up to the station, went vertical and lit the afterburner. He left a 50 foot circle of scorched grass and a number of British radarmen in need of fresh underwear. Saw the video, it was awe inspiring. |
| Posted by: RWV 2005-01-24 1:17:57 PM |
| #7 The Danish support for indigenous Jooos during WWII and subsequent smuggling and protection provided, is worth mentioning. |
| Posted by: Rightwing 2005-01-24 11:54:21 AM |
| #6 And, in my experience, it isn't only their military assistance that shines a positive light on the Danes. In the 90s, they were heavily involved in getting the Baltics up on their feet, through trade and volunteer/other humanitarian services...they walk the walk and talk the talk. |
| Posted by: Jules 187 2005-01-24 11:23:19 AM |
| #5 Hug this man, and his country. Any favors we can provide Denmark should be brought forth asap |
| Posted by: lex 2005-01-24 10:41:45 AM |
| #4 LOL that video is too good! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2005-01-24 10:30:02 AM |
| #3 Here. |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2005-01-24 10:00:23 AM |
| #2 Go Vikings. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-01-24 9:21:23 AM |
| #1 According the the EU's Eurobarometer, the Danes are also the most anti-Constitution population in the Union. Smart economics, sensible leadership, high optimism and a disdain for the European suicide pact. Denmark's got a lot going for it at the moment. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2005-01-24 9:14:50 AM |