Taliban congratulates Netherlands for pulling soldiers out of Afghanistan

Well isn't this just precious.

FROM TELEGRAPH.CO.UK:

Taliban congratulates Netherlands for pulling soldiers out of Afghanistan

By Bruno Waterfield
Published: 1:28PM BST 29 Jul 2010
Taliban contragulates Netherlands for pulling soldiers out of Afghanistan

Twenty-four Dutch soldiers were killed and 140 injured over the last four years Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Almost 2,000 Dutch troops have been deployed in the Uruzgan region, where the Taliban is active and opium production is high.

The final contingent of 250 Dutch soldiers will be withdrawn on Sunday, after strong domestic opposition to participation in the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force.

Qari Yusuf Ahmadii, a Taliban spokesman, told the Volksrant newspaper that he looked forward to other countries following the "brave" Dutch example.

"We would like to offer the citizens and government of the Netherlands our heartfelt congratulations for having the courage to take this decision independently," he said.

"We hope other countries with soldiers stationed in Afghanistan will follow the Dutch example and withdraw their troops."

The government collapsed in February after Labour, a coalition member, refused to support a Nato request to extend the Dutch presence until August 2011.

"Labour has made one of the most important decisions for the Dutch government and citizens," said the Taliban spokesman.

Twenty-four Dutch soldiers were killed and 140 injured over the last four years. American and Australian troops will take over the Dutch military role on August 1.

General Peter van Uhm, the commander in chief of the Dutch military, praised his troops for "tangible results that the Netherlands can be proud of".

But rank-and-file soldiers are angry over the retreat, according to Jan Kleian, president of the Dutch military trade union.

"They are not happy to leave. They want to finish what they started. The mission is not completed," he said.