seruriermarshal
06-17-2004, 11:07 AM
Hungary sending more troops to Afghanistan but cutting peacekeeping forces
BUDAPEST (AFP) Jun 17, 2004
Hungary will boost its military presence in Afghanistan five-fold to 151, but will cut the total of its peacekeeping forces abroad to 1,000 next year, Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs said Wednesday.
He said 120 soldiers would go to Afghanistan to reinforce the 31 Hungarian troops currently stationed there as part of NATO's 6,500-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
"The task of the contingent will be to boost security by providing reconnaissance in Kabul and its surroundings, including Kabul international airport," Kovacs told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
He also said Hungary would cap the size of its peacekeeping forces serving abroad at 1,000 troops next year, citing cost concerns.
"The government aims to make (Hungary's) presence in conflict resolution and stabilization and peacekeeping forces the least costly," Kovacs said.
Hungary currently has 1,057 peacekeepers abroad, including 300 troops in Iraq and others in Kosovo, Bosnia and Cyprus.
Kovacs said no decision has been made on which of its contingents would be affected by the troop reductions next year.
From (http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040617105750.1toxn52t.html)
Thank you Hungary !
woot
BUDAPEST (AFP) Jun 17, 2004
Hungary will boost its military presence in Afghanistan five-fold to 151, but will cut the total of its peacekeeping forces abroad to 1,000 next year, Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs said Wednesday.
He said 120 soldiers would go to Afghanistan to reinforce the 31 Hungarian troops currently stationed there as part of NATO's 6,500-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
"The task of the contingent will be to boost security by providing reconnaissance in Kabul and its surroundings, including Kabul international airport," Kovacs told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
He also said Hungary would cap the size of its peacekeeping forces serving abroad at 1,000 troops next year, citing cost concerns.
"The government aims to make (Hungary's) presence in conflict resolution and stabilization and peacekeeping forces the least costly," Kovacs said.
Hungary currently has 1,057 peacekeepers abroad, including 300 troops in Iraq and others in Kosovo, Bosnia and Cyprus.
Kovacs said no decision has been made on which of its contingents would be affected by the troop reductions next year.
From (http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040617105750.1toxn52t.html)
Thank you Hungary !
woot