.Dutch prime minister pays surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan
The Hague - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende paid a surprise visit to the Dutch troops serving in the south-central Afghan province of Uruzgan Saturday, Dutch media reported.
Speaking at Camp Holland, the main Dutch base at the provincial capital of Tarin Kowt, Balkenende expressed his 'deep admiration' for the reconstruction work being carried out by the troops.
'You are the heroes of our time and are worthy of great respect from politicians and society in general,' Balkenende said at the camp, which has been set up over recent weeks.
Following the visit to the troops, Balkenende flew to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai.
Some 1,500 Dutch troops have been deployed since the beginning of August to Uruzgan as part of the expansion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) deployment to the troubled south of the country.
M&C
Speaking at Camp Holland, the main Dutch base at the provincial capital of Tarin Kowt, Balkenende expressed his 'deep admiration' for the reconstruction work being carried out by the troops.
'You are the heroes of our time and are worthy of great respect from politicians and society in general,' Balkenende said at the camp, which has been set up over recent weeks.
Following the visit to the troops, Balkenende flew to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai.
Some 1,500 Dutch troops have been deployed since the beginning of August to Uruzgan as part of the expansion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) deployment to the troubled south of the country.
M&C
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