The first of 150 Norwegian soldiers and officers left for Iraq on Thursday, but it remained unclear exactly what they will be doing. They're heading for the area where six British soldiers were killed this week.
Defense department officials confirmed Thursday that the first group of soldiers and officers were on their way. He admitted that their actual assignments haven't been made clear.
The Norwegians will work with British forces, and cabinet secretary Gunnar Heloe also conceded military operations may be involved.
"They won't only have purely humanitarian duty," he said, indicating the Norwegians will be assigned to a combination of military and humanitarian work.
He denied, however, that the Norwegians are part of the occupation forces in Iraq.
"Norway doesn't have the status of being an occupying force," Heloe said. "Only the British and Americans have that. We're just helping the British in their work."
Defense department officials confirmed Thursday that the first group of soldiers and officers were on their way. He admitted that their actual assignments haven't been made clear.
The Norwegians will work with British forces, and cabinet secretary Gunnar Heloe also conceded military operations may be involved.
"They won't only have purely humanitarian duty," he said, indicating the Norwegians will be assigned to a combination of military and humanitarian work.
He denied, however, that the Norwegians are part of the occupation forces in Iraq.
"Norway doesn't have the status of being an occupying force," Heloe said. "Only the British and Americans have that. We're just helping the British in their work."
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