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UPI.com
March 31, 2008
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, en route to the NATO summit in Romania, stopped in Denmark Monday to thank a country he called an ally.
"This is an ally who, in my opinion, is really punching above its weight, and I want to visit and basically thank them for that," Gates said before landing in Copenhagen.
Gates was scheduled to meet with the Danish prime minister and several other government officials, the U.S. department said in a news release. He also was planning to meet with Danish veterans Iraq and Afghanistan, the official said.
About 630 Danish troops are in Afghanistan, with most in the south working with British troops.
"The Danes have played an important and tough role in Afghanistan," Gates said.
In Iraq, they have about 40 personnel at various training centers, but no combat forces, Gates said. The Danes have about 300 troops in Kosovo.
March 31, 2008
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, en route to the NATO summit in Romania, stopped in Denmark Monday to thank a country he called an ally.
"This is an ally who, in my opinion, is really punching above its weight, and I want to visit and basically thank them for that," Gates said before landing in Copenhagen.
Gates was scheduled to meet with the Danish prime minister and several other government officials, the U.S. department said in a news release. He also was planning to meet with Danish veterans Iraq and Afghanistan, the official said.
About 630 Danish troops are in Afghanistan, with most in the south working with British troops.
"The Danes have played an important and tough role in Afghanistan," Gates said.
In Iraq, they have about 40 personnel at various training centers, but no combat forces, Gates said. The Danes have about 300 troops in Kosovo.