Estonian defense minister dismisses pullout from Afghanistan

29 June 2011
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Tallinn. Estonia will not take the option to pullout its troops in Afghanistan although "several countries, along with the U.S., have begun decreasing their troop numbers in Afghanistan", Xinhua informs.

"There is no point for us to start playing politics with this, or in other words, chop up our unit (Estcoy 12) and thus jeopardize the lives of Estonian soldiers," Estonian Defense Minister Mart Laar said.

A few days ago, Laar returned from a visit to Afghanistan, where eight Estonian soldiers have died since the country sent its troops there in 2003. He has witnessed with his "own eyes," that real, successful steps in the fight against the Taliban have been taken. He said that it is justified that some countries has begun their drawdown of troop level.

"It can be said in advance that (further troop drawdown) will apparently take place. But if we look at everything that is happening, then shrinking units does not mean that the units that are actually doing the fighting, if you will, are being pulled out; rather, it is the extra, supporting technical contingent that is being pulled out," said Laar.

In this fall, Estonian Parliament will have to extend its mandate for the country's mission to Afghanistan.

"We can either leave together or stay for some time," said Deputy Chairman of the National Defense Committee in Parliament Aivar Riisalu, a member of the opposition Center Party. "The question is for how long." The Center, Riisalu said, will carefully consider whether to vote for extending the mission, but Parliament must act in a balanced manner when making the decision.

Estonian Defense Forces have been present in Afghanistan since 2003. Since 2006, Estonians have been fighting under the British Command Task Force in Helmand. In addition to eight casualties, over 60 Estonian military personnel have been wounded.

























Estonian defense minister dismisses pullout from Afghanistan