No progress by Rumsfeld in raising troops in Bangladesh

[JoFerret]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/international/asia/06RUMS.html

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld met Saturday with top officials of Bangladesh, which currently has more peacekeepers around the world than any other nation, but he reported no progress in finding new troops for Iraq or Afghanistan.

"I think countries ought to do that which they are comfortable doing," Mr. Rumsfeld said, after meeting with the foreign minister, Morshad Khan.

American and Bangladeshi officials said the issue was not raised in their talks, which were hastily arranged at the request of Mr. Rumsfeld, who attended a conference on Asian security in Singapore on Saturday. But a senior defense official said the Pentagon had made clear that it would welcome forces from this predominantly Muslim nation, which has said it would be willing to contribute troops only under United Nations auspices. "We have always worked under a blue helmet," said Mr. Khan, referring to the uniform for United Nations forces.

A third draft of a Security Council resolution is circulating among members, and administration officials said they hoped it would satisfy the Bangladeshis.

Troops from Bangladesh could add a moderate Muslim cast to the forces seeking to stabilize Iraq, administration officials say. Most Bangladeshis practice a tolerant, mystical form of Islam that is compatible with a secular government.

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[cliss]

1. Oh, so that's the real reason Rummy

went to Bangladesh. He's being a door to door salesman for the war.

Pssst. Don: while you were gone, there's been a really big protest outside your house in Washington. Your neighbors are really getting pissed about it. Maybe you should come home.

[Jim__]

2. What a joke - the US is asking Bangladesh for troops !

Help for the coalition of the willing.

[salin]

3. Rummy thought it might be a viable alternative

when his neocon buddies ensure that the US will not agree to the requirements the UN Security Council will need to pass a resolution and open the door for broader support/troop presence in Iraq.

While the admin also keeps refering to NATO - I haven't heard anything but balking from the NATO corner.

So here he goes to one of the poorest countries in the world... please, please, please (probably laden with promises of increases in foreign aid)... send your troops to help the "coalition" effort in Iraq.