Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria to leave Iraq

**troung** · 16 Mar 05,, 21:30

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...iraq_troops_dc

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will start to withdraw its soldiers from Iraq (news - web sites) this September, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Tuesday, adding to the list of U.S. allies looking to cut their troop levels.

In a television interview, Berlusconi said he was also in discussions with British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) about a total exit strategy from Iraq, adding the people of both countries wanted their troops to return home.

"We will begin to reduce our contingent even before the end of the year, starting in September, in agreement with our allies," Berlusconi told state Italian television RAI.

When asked when the total withdrawal of troops would take place, Berlusconi was cautious, saying: "It will depend on the capacity of the Iraqi government to provide adequate security."

One of the staunchest supporters of U.S. foreign policy, Berlusconi's government has dispatched some 3,000 troops to Iraq despite strong opposition at home.

It is the fourth largest foreign contingent there after U.S., British and South Korean forces.

But pressure on Italy's mission in Iraq has increased since intelligence agent Nicola Calipari was killed earlier this month by U.S. soldiers shortly after rescuing an Italian hostage.

The friendly-fire incident has strained relations with the United States and President Bush (news - web sites) has promised Italy a fast and thorough investigation.

"(Bush) knows that he can't let down a loyal ally," Berlusconi told RAI, adding the killing was a "serious mistake."

BULGARIA, NETHERLANDS

The White House said Berlusconi's move was not linked to Calipari's death and said he was echoing comments he had made last week to the Italian Senate.

Asked whether Italy's decision was tied to the shooting, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said he had not heard Italian officials saying that. "I'm not sure I'd make a connection there," he said.

"If you look at what he (Berlusconi) said last week and what he said again today, this will be based on the ability and capability of Iraqi forces and the Iraqi government to be able to assume more responsibility and that he will work in agreement with allies in the region before taking those steps," McClellan said and applauded the contribution of the Italians.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bulgaria's president said his country should withdraw its 450 troops from Iraq by the end of this year after a Bulgarian soldier was accidentally killed by U.S. forces. A final decision is expected by the end of the month.

The Dutch government, defying pressure from Washington, has announced it will pull its troops from Iraq by mid-April, while Poland and Ukraine plan to withdraw their forces this year.

Just hours before Berlusconi announced Italy's partial withdrawal, an Italian solider died in Iraq during a target-shooting exercise. Some 21 Italian soldiers and five civilians have died in Iraq since the 2003 deployment.

Center-left opposition parties have used Iraq as a rallying cry against Berlusconi's government. But the coalition parties overcame objections and voted in parliament on Tuesday to extend funding for the mission to Iraq for another six months.

**Veni Vidi Vici** · 16 Mar 05,, 21:43

Now its time to start pulling our boys out. Iraq must deal with Iraq.... we have done our mission.

**Confed999** · 17 Mar 05,, 01:11

Weren't they scheduled to withdraw at the end of the year allready?

**Ray** · 17 Mar 05,, 03:00

Now its time to start pulling our boys out. Iraq must deal with Iraq.... we have done our mission.

VVV,

That's a neat statement.

And leave 'Freedom and Democracy' in abject Anarchy?

Pray what was the Mission that you have accomplished?

Iraqis were looking after Iraqis before the US went in with the messianic zeal of spreading Freedom and Democracy. Of course, it was not ideal, but it was sure better than what is going on at present.

Therefore, it is the US's moral responsibility to bring order in Iraq and not upstake as and when so desired, leaving Iraq to burn like a cauldron.

Possibly, since the US media is not playing it up, I do hope you know that there is a huge problem in North Iraq in the Mosul belt. The Kurds are trying to establish their lein there which is hotly contested by the Sunnis as secretly supported by the Shias.

Are you aware that there is a lot of heart burning and problems about the Iraqi Parliament between the Shias and the Kurds?

In short, Freedom and Democracy of Iraq is in a mess.

Just because some rats are deserting the sinking ship, doesn't mean that the Captain of the Ship also deserts. Captains sink with their ships and never gives up the ship!

Also remember, there is no dearth of fair weather friends. Just go back into the WAB archives and see the gloating about how many are joining the 'international community' in the 'just' war on Iraq. I wonder where are those chaps now? The whole conglomerate was suspect since their national psyche was different. They joined the bandwagon for the booty and now that they have realised that the booty is the will o' the wisp and now that their election time is coming nigh, they are putting their money where their mouth is.

Italy has always been soft. Berluscony or whatever had to crumble. He has.

**Veni Vidi Vici** · 17 Mar 05,, 03:19

Originally Posted by Ray

VVV,

That's a neat statement.

And leave 'Freedom and Democracy' in abject Anarchy?

Pray what was the Mission that you have accomplished?

Iraqis were looking after Iraqis before the US went in with the messianic zeal of spreading Freedom and Democracy. Of course, it was not ideal, but it was sure better than what is going on at present.

Therefore, it is the US's moral responsibility to bring order in Iraq and not upstake as and when so desired, leaving Iraq to burn like a cauldron.

Possibly, since the US media is not playing it up, I do hope you know that there is a huge problem in North Iraq in the Mosul belt. The Kurds are trying to establish their lein there which is hotly contested by the Sunnis as secretly supported by the Shias.

Are you aware that there is a lot of heart burning and problems about the Iraqi Parliament between the Shias and the Kurds?

In short, Freedom and Democracy of Iraq is in a mess.

Just because some rats are deserting the sinking ship, doesn't mean that the Captain of the Ship also deserts. Captains sink with their ships and never gives up the ship!

If you'll remember I never really supported the Iraqi war. I support my President and his decisions and I'll sure as hell support my military but at this point I feel that we have captured the dictator and no longer have any reason to stay. I dont know, I mean I know this is pessimistic but Im not sure that that reagion will ever clear up. We have the world hating us for being there and were getting nothing out of it.

We should save our money and bring our troops home. Especialy if tension is starting to build up with china.

**Ray** · 17 Mar 05,, 04:04

Saddam was just one of the issues.

If you are of the opinion that it was a bad deal, then its just too bad.

What do you want? The US to be called a land of quitters? Vietnam and then this?

I thought there was the saying :

"When the Going gets Tough,
The Tough gets Going".

**highsea** · 17 Mar 05,, 05:24

I agree Ray, the US must stay and finish what we started. We need to see Iraq through the next round of elections before we can even talk about leaving.

We need to make sure we don't leave a big problem in the north for Turkey to have to deal with, and somehow we have to engage the sunnis in the political process. We need to round up the rest of the characters on our list, Zarqawi and his goons, and as many of the remnants of Saddam's henchmen hiding in Syria that we can. It doesn't hurt to remind Syria that there are 100,000 battle hardened US troops nextdoor. The USS Theodore Roosevelt has just been dispatched to the region, so we will have 3 CVBG's there again shortly.

As the Iraqi forces gain in strength and the ability to maintain stability in Iraq, we can start to draw down, but we cannot risk a premature pullout. US credibility in the region is dependent on a stable post-war Iraq. This is the only way that any other democratic movements in the ME will retain any momentum. Reformists in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran have to know that the US will not cut and run again. There's too much at stake.

**Bill** · 17 Mar 05,, 05:31

We can't leave until the job is done or we really will destroy our international credibility.

**MIKEMUN** · 17 Mar 05,, 05:59

I agree. This is not the time to pack up and leave. Iraq is a make or break point for the US in the Middle East. If it succeeds then it might mean that it would be a starting point to bring about reform in the Middle East. If it fails,then God help us all.

On a related note. There is news on the net that an Italian soldier shot himself accidentally in the head.