seruriermarshal
06-17-2004, 10:53 AM
Hungarian army suffers first casualty in Iraq
BUDAPEST (AFP) - The Hungarian contingent in Iraq (news - web sites) lost its first soldier in a blast south of Baghdad, Defence Minister Ferenc Juhasz said.
AFP/File Photo
"Today a 47-member convoy departed from the Hungarian base of Hilla towards a Ukranian base when it came under attack and a 27-year-old Hungarian soldier died a hero's death," Juhasz said.
"An explosive device went off just next to the Hungarian convoy," he added.
Juhasz said the convoy was carrying water to the Ukranian base when they came under attack at As-Suwayrah, 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of the Iraqi capital.
Hungary deployed 300 troops, mostly logistics experts, in Iraq in September 2003 with a parliamentary mandate to stay there until the end of 2004.
The country's political opposition has recently urged the government to withdraw its soldiers but the ruling Socialist-Liberal coalition has insisted the men will fulfil their mandate.
Juhasz on Thursday told journalists Hungary's troops would stay in Iraq until the end of the year unless, "parliament decides otherwise."
The defence minister said he would travel to Iraq next week and members of a special Hungarian commission assembled to investigate Thursday's attack would leave for Iraq on Friday.
Sad message
REGIMENTAL PRAYER
Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,
you are the one who hears all our prayers and grants our petitions.
We ask you to remember, as we do,
the tremendous sacrifice made by those who went before us.
They have given their lives so that we might live and breathe freely.
We ask you to receive them into your hands.
Father, give us the strength and wisdom to learn from their example,
to uphold freedom and life at home and around the world.
Keep us vigilant as we guard the frontiers of freedom.
Give our leaders the wisdom and the strength to lead well.
Grant all of us courage and confidence.
Be, for all of us, troopers, a wise counsel in keeping peace
and a strong shield for us against our enemies.
Oh heavenly Father, give us the determination
that the peace and freedom won at such a high price be lasting!
Father, hold all of the troopers in the palm of your almighty hand
and protect them in the shadow of your wings.
Amen.
BUDAPEST (AFP) - The Hungarian contingent in Iraq (news - web sites) lost its first soldier in a blast south of Baghdad, Defence Minister Ferenc Juhasz said.
AFP/File Photo
"Today a 47-member convoy departed from the Hungarian base of Hilla towards a Ukranian base when it came under attack and a 27-year-old Hungarian soldier died a hero's death," Juhasz said.
"An explosive device went off just next to the Hungarian convoy," he added.
Juhasz said the convoy was carrying water to the Ukranian base when they came under attack at As-Suwayrah, 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of the Iraqi capital.
Hungary deployed 300 troops, mostly logistics experts, in Iraq in September 2003 with a parliamentary mandate to stay there until the end of 2004.
The country's political opposition has recently urged the government to withdraw its soldiers but the ruling Socialist-Liberal coalition has insisted the men will fulfil their mandate.
Juhasz on Thursday told journalists Hungary's troops would stay in Iraq until the end of the year unless, "parliament decides otherwise."
The defence minister said he would travel to Iraq next week and members of a special Hungarian commission assembled to investigate Thursday's attack would leave for Iraq on Friday.
Sad message
REGIMENTAL PRAYER
Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,
you are the one who hears all our prayers and grants our petitions.
We ask you to remember, as we do,
the tremendous sacrifice made by those who went before us.
They have given their lives so that we might live and breathe freely.
We ask you to receive them into your hands.
Father, give us the strength and wisdom to learn from their example,
to uphold freedom and life at home and around the world.
Keep us vigilant as we guard the frontiers of freedom.
Give our leaders the wisdom and the strength to lead well.
Grant all of us courage and confidence.
Be, for all of us, troopers, a wise counsel in keeping peace
and a strong shield for us against our enemies.
Oh heavenly Father, give us the determination
that the peace and freedom won at such a high price be lasting!
Father, hold all of the troopers in the palm of your almighty hand
and protect them in the shadow of your wings.
Amen.