Support grows for Afghanistan troops

I see no mention of Jan Myrdal's statement that the only good foreign soldiers in Afghanistan are dead ones.

This poll is about like asking whether one favors the killing of Swedish soliders or not.

It is a most inaccurate measure of the people's thinking about soldiers being there in the first place.

Ok, so Bin Laden and Co. attasks USA and USA invades Afganistan. The place is now a mess and they haven't even managa to catch the guy. That's quite clear to me.

What is not clear is why soooo many countries are there now??? Nothing againts Americans, but I do strongly disagree with other countries going to Afganistan. Why? Cos we are in danger too? No. Because it wouldn't be good for the "system" that USA loses and they will without our help. It ain't even USA, it's that thing in the air some people call system. In any case, we are just sending our soldiers to fight for "fake" reasons defending something we are not even sure what it is.

Who is the hot lady in the picture? Why is she not on catwalk instead of wearing a helmet?

Do not tell me this immoral war has became moral war over night because of the death of two swedes. The Afghans are from pre-industrial area. They have zero capability to harm people of other nations. I doubt if the majority of Afghans knew what was going in the world before they were invaded by UK, Russia and now USA. The best for them and the best for the world is to leave them alone.

The USA does not run out of excuses for invading other people. The worst part of it is that there are people buying it even Sweden.

It is good to see support rising for the troops on the ground.

Do the cry and tears of the children and the poor mothers in the region mean something to the rest of the world? There might be lot of reasons behind the war. but just think, why do people living in the most underdeveloped countries risk to challenge and attack the most developed countries.

This is great news. Always good to for soldiers to know citizens back home are thinking of them and in a positive light. Now if the govt can send more troops and equipment to ensure the AOR Sweden has can be stabilized.

"Now if the govt can send more troops and equipment to ensure the AOR Sweden has can be stabilized. "

More cannon fodder no thanks

Neutral Sweden that is in Afghanistan under the non combatant UN ISAF banner already has more troops (830) in Afghanistan than Nato Denmark (740) or Norway (500)

The current situation in Afghanistan is a US made screwup. All the arms and training that the CIA gave to the Taliban to kick the Russians out. Now the ungrateful bastards are using the weapons and training to kick American ass. So Uncle Sam asks all his Nato 'friends' to help save his ass.

Why should Sweden put more Swedish lives at risk.

Americans created the problem, Let Americans fix it

Don't worry Rick. Nobody in the US expects the Swedes to actually fight while there, they just want them to keep the campfire stoked and the coffee warm.

not the most fearsome looking soldiers

This confirms my MO...when you see the herd going in one direction do an immediate about face and head in the other direction. People seem to of lost their moral compass...if they ever had one.

What people are you talking about? Everyone I meet here in Sweden are against Sweden having troops in Afghanistan. I don't mean figuratively, I literally mean every single one. I have not met one single person that supports the war. Warring for peace is like f***ing for virginity.

It would be nice to think that people have changed their position because of careful consideration, but it probably is (as some suggest above) related to the death of Swedish soldiers. I think that people should think carefully before choosing a position, not just have an emotional response.

What happens if the Taliban regains control of Afghanistan? Will they resume their policies of 2001? Will they continue to support terror attacks in "the west"? If so, how close do the terrorists have to attack before it becomes a Swedish problem? Spain? France? UK? Germany? Denmark?

You can't fix the entire world, but it is worth thinking carefully about whether to fix some of the most serious problems.

@Rick, You're way off buddy. The 840 number you speak of is the Parliament highest number of troops allowed to head to Sweden such as reserve etc for if the occasion calls for it and I highly doubt it would happen unless Sweden ends their mission in Kosovo. Sweden has a ever shrinking army and that it already does barely have the units that could serve effectively in Afghanistan.

Denmark has 750 troops and Norway has around 550.

Now 100 troops wouldn't make much a difference but it would add a greater layer of protection for the Swedes in their area and that would definitely help for their reconstruction and aid efforts. The one thing they should not want is Swedish troops holed up in their bases because they don't have enough security to even leave 5km outside their base to mingle with locals.

Sweden is a member of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, the operating word being assistance, which is supporting and lending credence to what is a war crime embodying many other wars crimes, being committed against the innocent Afghan people by the United States and lap dog partner in crime Great Briton. Sweden's forces are under the control of NATO ISAF and works in partnership with other forces including the Americans. In fact it is the presence of the NATO ISAF and the Swedish contingent that frees up American forces and British and other NATO combat forces to do their dirty work, while Swedes and other non-direct combat forces pacify, and control Afghan people in non-combat areas.

As of today 20 totally innocent Afghan men and women were blown to bits by Nato forces supported by Swedish troops. You cannot murder innocent children from the air on a soccer field in one part of the country and claim to be on a humanitarian mission of peace simply because your handing some soccer balls to other kids…. You cannot shred to death scores of people in the midst of celebrating, what should one of the most happy times of their collective peaceful lives, a wedding ceremony, in one part of the country and claim to be on a humanitarian peace mission because you provided some food for another wedding in another part of the country… You cannot drag a man out his house killing members of his family in the process and disappear him like a band of Argentine generals to be tortured in one part the country and then claim you're on humanitarian mission to restore the human rights by protecting ballot boxes in rigged elections… on and on and on…

Violence and the support of it as tool for resolving any issue is wrong… period. You wouldn't teach it to your children why do you wish to argue for it as good for adults.

Real men/women of real courage commit to the hard work of peace and non-violence rather than easy cowardly self serving ways of violence.

It is the moral obligation of all Swedish citizens to oppose our inclusion in the criminal act that has kept the Afghan people under a state of siege for almost 10 years and the innocent victims of American crimminal viloence of yet another American inspired war crime. A war crime now directed to setting up a second front for its next planned crime against humanity the war to dominate the peaceful innocent men, women, and children of Iran. The enemy of peace in the world, the rule of law, and civilization, is not the Taliban, was not Saddam Hussein, nor is it the the Aytollahs of Iran…. it is the United States of America.

Oh, my god JDV - you have started a real copy-paste from the other forums.. How boring are you?

You just changed the 20 innocent people bombed by US to "bombed by Sweden"...

Sweden supports the afghanis there and not the US. Swedens gets out - afghanis will die and starve and get sick. Not americans, you moron, AFGHANIS. Innnocent ones. Die.

Idiot

I changed a lot more than that...

@JDV your post is even more than the news article, keep it short, focused and straight to the point.

Go troopers, Afghanistan needs the world finest soldiers to restore some sanity in its dysfunctional system.

Uncle...you have called JDV a moron and an idiot. You are really pulling out all the stops in your discussion.

Perhaps it is you that are a little mentally challenged to the extent that you cannot see that you do not win hearts and minds in foreign lands through thinly veiled military adventures as humanitarian missions. Swedens involvement as assistance is complicity if this conflict is someday deemed a war crime.

It is not only that further participation in this debacle will likely increase the number of bodies returned to Sweden in body bags but the number of horrifically wounded also. Has any mention of the five wounded Swedes surfaced in the news lately? No, such is the nature of war. The wounded and the dead are quicklyl forgotten so that the masses can get back to their regularly scheduled program. Next time you are on vacation in the USA drop in Walter Reed Hospital and take pity and remind yourself what a great privilege it is to participate in a such a...JUST WAR. Remember though, Vietnam was a just war also.

As a sidenote, as if anyone in favor of participating in this fiasco cares, the number of innocent Afghan lives that are tragically disrupted and destroyed will grow astronomically as well. I admit that I dont know any of the bad guys involved as personally having never met a Taiblan man, but I have to draw the line at the Swedish border and until that border is encroached upon I recommend not being involved. The genius of neutrality and diplomacy is less bloodshed.

jonnyrebel. Don't you find it strange that you mention this war in connection to Vietnam, but not S. Korea, that was practically saved from the complete genocide that N. Koreans are experiencing as we debate here?

Don't you think that saving the arses of Kuweitees is also appropriate to mention? how about the stop to killng of Albanian population of Kosovo?

Why do you and JDV refuse to admit the good that was brought by the above conflicts? This was in regards to US.

In regards to Sweden. Don't you think it is slightly not fair to demand withdrawal of Swedes from Afghanistan, but not from Congo, or Lebanon? How about Chad? How about Kashmir? How about Sudan?

Why risking swedish soldiers lives in Congo is "good", by that effectively assisting the invading Rwandees, but in Afghanistan, the incidental assistane to the invading US is not "good"?

The double standards of taking the side OPPOSITE that of your allies (w/o consideration of the situation) just because it is cool and non-conformistic, brought the entire population of white africans practically to extermination in it's time. It also assisted the soviets in their wars and still assisting Chinese in their actions in Tibet and Taiwan, JUST because US is supporting Tibet and Taiwan.

Is it not calling for questions in regards to your sanity?

Why do you all seriously group Ameicans together most think that the fight in Afghanistan was not our fight to fight. 90 % of Americans think that President Bush was a failure as a president. The thing is we can't leave now becuas if we do what would stop terriorists or Bin Ladin from returning?

"Do the cry and tears of the children and the poor mothers in the region mean something to the rest of the world?"

It's a hell hole of a place, but there will be a lot more mothers and daughters crying if the Taliban take over. Imagine living in a society where women will be prohibited from going to school or even learning how to read or write.

The Taliban, Hamas, hezbollah... the sooner their Ideologies are removed from this world the better. They are like a cancer infecting people with their religious rhetoric. All they preach is the death of people different than them, less than that, people who believe something different to them. They are worse than the American ideology of the mid 19th century. As soon as the Taliban is gone from Afghanistan, the place may be able to prosper somewhat...

Ahhh Uncle...now you have questioned my sanity. This little exercise in discourse is really taking its toll on you.

You seem to believe that you have such a grasp of the War game. An intimate knowledge of history and the human beast as well. No conflict can escape your eagle eye or your searing brain. OK...lets assume that I am off my rocker, which goes against all conventional wisdom, and tell us astute oracle...where does all of this conflict go from here? While you are at it, can you give us some insight on what is happening in the largest conflict so far since the Obama surge in some remote place in Afghanistan that God willing you or I will never have to see. I only ask about this because it has jumped off the news just as Tiger has jumped back on. Do you see a new war with Iran? A nuclear exchange?

This better be good...Uncle. Because if it is not, I promise to give a good dose of madness...in my own words of course. Any of you other living room warmongers care to take a stab at this one? What happens after all of the Afghanistan mother are all enrolled in school and all Afghanistan babies have stopped crying?

Comment: Alex.plambeck

It wasn't Bushes war when 90% of americans supported the illegal invasion of the country or elcted Bush and supported Kerry who both wanted to continue both the wars crimes of Iraq (80% approval) and Afghanistan. Sure... now that your losing, or bored and the world is recoginizing for what you are under the banner of Amerircan Riech... it's now Bushe's war. Even if the plans for the invasion were drawn up 2 years before under the Clinton adminstration, now currently in power. Awaitng the the magic moment called for in the Project for a New Ameican Century. by the very people who provided it, "A New Pearl Harbor" or dial up a 911.

Sorry but it's your war, your Army of darkness, made up of paid thugs, privat mercenaries, torturers, murderers, and rapist, all documented crimes, of your young men and women serving on your behalf and your interest. After all is not a governement of the people by the people and for the people. As your own Dr. Phil says if you don't own it you can't fix it.

For our Young Swedish men an women of good hearts and intentions to be a part of and in support this horror show is the disgrace of our leadership. Where is nobel and peaceful legacy of Olaf Palmer who stood up the great Enemy of our time and offered his nation as a refuge for those young American men and women of conscience who refused to fight and lend their bodies and souls to another American War Crime Against Humanity.

jonnyrebel do you want my personal opinion? US should get out and let them rot. Next time US is attacked, US should bomb the major cities WWII style for 5 hours and not even enter there. Let's see now many times they will try it again. Even Taliban has limits.

Considering ourselves better than them causes these wars.

Now as of Sweden's opinion, it does not matter whether US is there or not. Sweden will stay to help Afghanis and this is noble and I respect it.

You are just babbling without any reason. We need to get out and that is it. You did not answer - why not get out of Africa then? How DO YOU plan to end wars in Central Africa? Let's hear some good suggestions. They better be good. Otherwise, you may go mad again....

Enough Uncle...and Peace to you. We have no quarrel...none of us do. Lets lay down our arms and try to make the world a better place. OK? You are not crazy and you are not stupid, neither am I.

I dont have the answers that you ask for. My recommendation is to try diplomacy and to cease the use of senseless violence. Swedens role could be that of the...Moral Superpower ala Olof Palme. Have you heard about the Dutch government? They have folded on account of the Afghan conflict.

He said...Love thy Neighbor. Theres a good suggestion, dont you think? I suggest that everyone return home and lets take care of one another. Everyone should try it. He didnt say anything about chasing down all the bad guys and ficticious enemies around the world. Im not so naive that I think that is going to happen either and it makes me sad.

Hey Uncle...we are sort of neighbors arent we...I will get your back if you get mine.

You know...its got to start someplace.

Uncle

a good way to start ending the wars in Africa and every place else is fo America to get out and stay home.

"The 1990s saw the Rwandan genocide as a key event in Africa, which was, in actuality, a struggle between France and the United States over the key strategic location of Rwanda. The World Bank and IMF laid the groundwork for conflict, creating the economic conditions that exacerbated colonial-era ethnic tensions. Meanwhile, the United States, through its proxy state of Uganda, funded military operations and trained the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which conducted military operations from Uganda into Rwanda. The Civil War waged from 1990-1993, with the US funding all sides of the conflict. In 1994, the RPF shot down the plane carrying the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi, which sparked the genocide. Following the genocide, the US-trained puppet, Paul Kagame, became President of Rwanda.[117]

Following these events, the US had two protectorates in Central Africa, Uganda and Rwanda, both of which bordered the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This was the ultimate prize in the area. From both Rwanda and Uganda, military operations were funded and paramilitary forces were trained by the United States to venture into the DRC, which erupted in coups and Civil War. However, western, primarily American and Canadian corporations were plundering the resource-rich Congo, while millions of Congolese civilians died.[118]

In April of 2001, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney held a hearing on Western involvement in the plunder of Africa, in which she stated, "at the heart of Africa's suffering is the West's, and most notably the United States', desire to access Africa's diamonds, oil, natural gas, and other precious resources . . . the West, and most notably the United States, has set in motion a policy of oppression, destabilization and tempered, not by moral principle, but by a ruthless desire to enrich itself on Africa's fabulous wealth."[119]

Source:

http://jugement.blogit.uusisuomi.fi/2009/12/21/a-new-world-war-for-a-new-world-order-2/

jonnyrebel - peace, man. All of it is just for fun, because it is rude to actually talk politics in Sweden, eh? My point is that we, as the 1st world members often cannot apply the same logic towards Middle East or Africa. Neither can Gandhi or Dalai Lama. If Taliban or Somalians are hanging people in thousands, it is hard to apply diplomacy, that is all.

JDV. You read from a BLOG? Now that is a good source. The genocide in Rwanda was initially caused by the politics of Belgium in Rwanda, which was caused by the African caste system. You know what is fun about your blog there, is that it makes something simple - complicated. Let me simplify this. Tutsi were killed by Hutu. Educated Tutsi cried to the world, pressed on UN, made movies "Hotel Rwanda", made a lot of noise and got angry.. Left wing like you started campaigns against the evil Hutu and pressed on governments to help little poor tutsis. Governments agreed and trained little helpless Tutsi.

When the evil Hutu lost because the african support of them chocked, Tutsi did not forget the genocide. They chased Hutu into Congo and killed 5 million Hutu and Congolese. But no one was making movies, no one demanded to train Hutus and no one pressed on governments. Actions of people like you made 5 million disappear.

Now other actions of people like you, are removing US from there. Is the place now empty and free? No - China and Iran are there. Providing weapons, playing powergames and taking the same resources. Only Iran also brings Islam and locks women and pushes countries like Sudan and Somalia onto further chaos. Better?

Uncle

It's about time that you actually back - up some of your ridiculous claims with something more than, I saw a movie once, or heard a rumor, or I watched Jag or Navy CSI or whatever it is that seem to use to make your false claims about every conflict including the one we are actually concern with here Afganistan.

Swedish NGO's and peaceful Swedish aid workers and others were working in Afghanistan with the Taliban cooperatively, peacefully and with results long before you Americans decided that Aid should militarized and can only be delivered at the point of a gun.

"Contrary to reports about girls education in the press, the figures obtained from the education sector in Afghanistan, reveal that girls education in rural Afghanistan is increasing. According to a survey conducted by the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), almost 80 per cent of the girls schools located in rural areas under the administration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are operating in full swing. Ms. Pia Karlsson, education advisor at the Education Technical Support Unit (ETSU) of SCA, said in a recent interview published by the Frontier Post, a Peshawar based English daily that only in Ghazni province, where the Islamic Emirate under the leadership of TIMA has control for the last two years, approximately 85 per cent of the girls are still in schools. Ms. Karlsson says, "The picture outside the cities is totally different."

The SCA which has been supporting elementary education in Afghanistan since 1984, currently supports 422 boys schools, 125 girls schools and 897 mixed schools (co-education) in the forms of primary schools and home schools. During the survey, she concentrated on 100 SCA supported girls schools in the nine provinces: Kabul, Kunar, Laghman, Ningarhar, Ghzani, Logar, Paktika, Paktya and Wardak. All these provinces are under the administration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. According to the survey, female attendance was at 94 per cent and of the 7834 girls enrolled, 7341 were found present. More significantly, at least 170 female teachers were found teaching in these schools. Similarly, in Kunduz province, 122 schools are operating with 390 female teachers teaching at the schools. The Islamic Emirate is ready to open girls and boys schools with appropriate foreign assistance."

Source: http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/taliban.html

The facts are we didn't need and we still don't need troops to deliver aid or peacefully deal with the Taliban and never did. It is part and parcel of the American plan to use humanitarian aid as weapon… and it was their intrusion with this anti-humanitarian idea that drove the UN and Oxfam to argue against this practice both for the protection of Aid workers and the effective delivery of the Aid to the Afghan people.

First - can you please quote me with "I saw a movie once" or "JAG CSI HOUSE"? Inventing again, are we? Also I love how your posts are unrelated to each other. I like surprises.

Telling how much good Taliban was doing, is like telling that Stalin did nothing but good, bringing agricultural country to the level of a superpower. "Of course he killed 20 million and helped Hitler to come to power so he would weaken Europe, by that effectively killing additional 25 mils of his own people, but look at these wonderful steel factories!" So 8 thousand girls enrolled?! WOW! In a nation of 28 million! Oh my God. The progress of this nation is apparent. This would be the next superpower within a year!

Are you serious now? And for your info - everywhere where humanitarian help is needed, army escorts it. In Africa, in Middle East, in Pakistan - EVERYWHERE.

Finally, thank you for the assumption that I am American. Says a lot about my aspiration to express myself in a clear and correct fashion. As a matter of fact, English is far away from being my mother tongue.

NATO ISAF forces supported by Swedish troops... Murdered another 21 innocent men women and children in Afgahinstant today. Their blood is on our hand it is time to petion our leaders to end our association and participation in this American and Nato led war crime. Bring our young men and women home as they will become increasing marked as targets by the our assoication and support of these war mongering crimminals.

JDV...that number rises as the NATO forces wiped out a convoy of 3 minivans...27 dead and 14 wounded. More than 50 civilians apparently killled in the last two weeks. According to CNN.

Uncle...What is your mother tongue? Your english is very good considering. The only reason I ask is out of curiousity...perhaps your feelings about war have been shaped by your culture?

My sentiments about war were shaped by the Vietnam War and the threat of being shipped there. Real carnage.

Johnnyrebel

Actually I was refering to that incident in the number was from the first report...

There is absolutely no reason for this carnage.

First: The UN and Sweden "should" be demanding an immediate cease-fire, an end to American and NATO aggression and press for an immediate withdrawal and removal of ALL American, British forces and personnel.

Second: placing all remaining NATO "peace" keeping forces directly under a joint UN and Karzi government command with an immediate goal of disconnecting them from the distribution of aid and any assistance beyond logistics such as trucks and equipment to purely self-defensive and non-violently protecting the aid and civilian aid workers. Replacing those forces as soon as possible with Taliban and government agreements for the peaceful distribution of the AID to the people. Something both the Taliban and Karzi government actually agree on.

Third: the legitimate inclusion of the Taliban in any negotiations for establishing a working government and building together on both their accomplishments. The Taliban are already respected by the people for their honesty and good governance and still operate shadow governments in many provinces.

Finally the UN led by Sweden and other nations should demand that the war criminals who deliberately, callously, and illegally started and continued this carnage for their own benefit be brought to justice. We cannot have peace in this world if we do not insist on bringing those who would use violence under the rule of law and justice. There was no justification the war against the Afghan people, or it's continuance or our participation in it or support of it. If there is then let the criminals of the Bush Blair administrations defend themselves at the Hague. One such trial would do more to bring peace and stability to the world than all of the calls arms ever made.

My sentiments about peace, human, and civil rights are shaped from the same experience. I was white and 16 when I heard Dr. Kings "I have a dream speech" as my black classmates and I took part in the march on Washington in 1963. 3 years later I became an Anti-War activist and later was further inspired by his Vietnam Speech and Olaf Palmer's courageous stand. It would be the inspiration of that noble Sweden that Sweden of courage, that Sweden of Peace and hope that would inspire me to eventually move here to this Sweden.

Easy boys, let's not get too hasty about this and whats with this American hating. Taliban attacked US, NATO agreement forces other nations to actively fight war. The End. Why Sweden is there? I dunno, score some bonus points with NATO or get some training or help Afghanistan to get off its butt and stop cauing trouble. Point is, they're hardly in an attacking position, thats typicaly reserved for the US.

And no bringing Rwanda and Iraq into all of this...different issues.

Point is, we should arguing is...why is sweden needed, and what can we do to get some butts in gear and help the nation get on its feet.

I dont think so, no way

ccnyberg

Not true neither the people nor the government of Afghanistan ever attacked the US.

The attack was carried out by Saudis, led by a group of Saudis, and planned in Hamburg Germany and trained for in the United States.

US plans to attack both Afghanistan and Iraq were on the table before the "Project for a New American Century's" uncanny timely prediction of their much-needed "New Pearl Harbor" aka "911" happened.

The government of Afghanistan (Taliban) was quite willing to turn over Osama Ben Laden, even before 911 to a neutral country… to be tried in a Sharia court… if the US would provide proof of his actions against the US. For obvious reasons… such as the need for the establishment of permanent bases in the region to secure the region's resources for Americans, and perhaps the need for 911 itself, America would not provide the info or as in the case of Iraq not allow the info to be gathered.

YES... The US replaced the UN with NATO because the UN did not agree with the militarization of aid, the use of aid as weapon, or the use of aid for bribery, or participating in or supporting combat missions for American and European self-interest.

The country and the people were secure and receiving peaceful aid and making progress both with the people and modifying Taliban extremes, before the US and Britain illegally and without provocation attacked the innocent men women and children of Afghanistan, plunging them into another 10+ years of war and the documented horrors associated with American occupation some which were stated in comments above. To add insult to injury, America then established a puppet government of ex-oil executives and the same Warlords and criminals they just spent 8 years removing from 90% of the country. And as only Americans could even conceive of doing is now offering the local people, whether the want it or need it or not a "Government in a Box"… complete with a Afghan Bhuger who hasn't even been in the country for 15 years.

The answer is not more jackboots on the ground and more dead innocent Afghans. Even the puppet government is begging America and Nato to stop the killing.

America and it's European puppet NATO are not there to help the people of Afghanistan, but rather to set up bases necessary for opening up a second front or their coming attack on the innocent people of Iran.

Sweden should withdraw it's troops immediately and work only with the UN to provide aid and peaceful humanitarian unconditional assistance… and work peaceably and with commitment to bring the creators of this unnecessary and unprovoked tragedy to justice.