Estonian soldiers in Iraq named Baltic country's man of the year

TALLINN, Dec 8 (AFP) - Estonian soldiers fighting in Iraq were collectively named man of the year on Wednesday by the Baltic country's biggest daily newspaper Postimees.
The newspaper's publisher Mart Kadastik said title had been awarded collectively to all the 101 Estonian troops that have served in Iraq in the US-led coalition over the past 18 months.
"The courage of the Estonian soldier has given confidence to the Estonian people," Kadastik said.
Estonia, which joined NATO in March and the European Union in May, has lost two soldiers in Iraq.
Wednesday's tribute comes at a time the Estonian public is becoming increasingly sceptical about the presence of Estonian troops in Iraq.
Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland said on Tuesday the Tallinn government will take a decision on whether to extend the mandate of the troops in Iraq by March at the latest.
"Estonia is taking its international obligations very seriously," Ojuland said in parliament.
"I don't consider it possible at the moment to pull out of Iraq hurriedly on the example of some other country or some other pressure."

12/08/2004 17:43 GMT - AFP