posted on March 15, 2005 03:04:30 PM new
Below is a article posted on AOL NEWS today.
Updated: 05:42 PM EST
Italy Pulling Troops From Iraq
Italy says the troop withdrawal is tied to how well Iraqi troops are able to secure the country.
More News From Iraq:
· No Coalition Government Yet
· Myers Predicts Surge in Violence
Jump Below:
· Numbers of Troops in Iraq
ROME (March 15) - Italy said Tuesday it will start drawing down its 3,000-strong contingent in Iraq in September, putting a fresh crack in President Bush's crumbling coalition. Bulgaria also called for a partial withdrawal, and Ukraine welcomed home its first wave of returning troops.
The moves come on top of the withdrawal of more than a dozen countries over the last year and could complicate efforts to keep the peace while Iraq's new government builds up police and military units capable of taking over from foreign forces.
Two years after the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, the coalition is unraveling amid mounting casualties and kidnappings that have stoked anti-war sentiment and sapped leaders' resolve to keep troops in harm's way.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who confirmed he will seek re-election next year, alluded to the rising public discontent, saying: "I've spoken about it with (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair, and it's the public opinion of our countries that expects this decision.''
"In September, we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our soldiers in Iraq,'' the ANSA news agency quoted Berlusconi as saying during the taping of a TV talk show. But, he added, the withdrawal is tied to the Iraqis being able to secure the country.
Italy's government, a staunch U.S. ally, had vowed to stay despite suffering 21 casualties and enduring fierce public opposition that escalated this month after U.S. soldiers in Baghdad fatally shot an Italian intelligence agent escorting a newly freed hostage.
Thirty-eight countries have provided troops in Iraq at one point or another. But 14 nations have permanently withdrawn since the March 2003 invasion, and today's coalition stands at 24. Excluding U.S. forces, there are 22,750 foreign soldiers still in Iraq.
By the Numbers
3,000
Italian troops in Iraq
22,750
Non-American foreign troops in Iraq
150,000
Approximate number of U.S. troops in Iraq
38
Countries that have had troops in Iraq during this war
24
Countries with troops there now
Source: AP
The scramble to get out has taken the multinational force from a high of about 300,000 soldiers in the region early in 2003 to 172,750 and falling. About 150,000 U.S. troops shoulder the bulk of the responsibility and suffer the most casualties.
A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Barry Venable, said the decisions by some nations to reduce or end their presence in Iraq was not a threat to security. "The coalition is strong,'' he said.
Venable said the reductions are part of the natural process of turning security over to Iraq's government. "The plan is to have the Iraqis fill in everywhere,'' he said. "That process will continue and indeed accelerate.''
The United States also is drawing down its troop levels. After bolstering the U.S. force to about 155,000 during Iraq's recent elections, the Pentagon is bringing some units home and expects to be down to 138,000 soldiers in a few months.
Some 137 Ukrainian servicemen returned home Tuesday, part of a gradual pullout of a 1,650-strong contingent to be completed in October. Ukraine has lost 18 soldiers in Iraq, and its people overwhelmingly oppose the deployment.
The Netherlands formally ended its mission March 7, and the bulk of its 1,400 troops return home this month. The U.S. and British governments urged Dutch leaders to extend the mission, but they refused, saying they had met their commitments.
Poland, which has command responsibility for a large swath of central Iraq, plans to withdraw several hundred of its 1,700 soldiers in July and hopes to pull out completely by year's end or early in 2006.
Among the nations that withdrew last year were Spain, which pulled out 1,300 soldiers; Tonga, 44; New Zealand, 60; Thailand, 423; the Philippines, 51; Honduras, 370; the Dominican Republic, 302; Singapore, 160; Nicaragua, 115; and Hungary, 300. Norway withdrew 150 troops but left 16 liaison officers.
Last month, Portugal withdrew its 127 soldiers, and Moldova pulled out its 12.
The Associated Press tally is based on queries to military officials in the various coalition nations. The trend isn't closely tracked on Web sites maintained by the Defense Department or the U.S. Central Command, which offer dated information.
Ferocious insurgent attacks, coalition casualties and a spate of civilian abductions and beheadings have rattled ordinary citizens in many countries.
"If we continue to keep our troops in Iraq, Koreans - not only here but also abroad - will be subject to terrorist attacks. It only puts our security in danger,'' said Ryu Jae-yoon, a 22-year-old office worker in Seoul.
Anti-war sentiment boiled over there last June when a South Korean military contract worker was beheaded by militants after the Seoul government refused a demand to withdraw its forces.
In Bulgaria, which has 460 troops in Iraq, the deaths of eight soldiers have heightened public calls to bring them home. On Tuesday, President Georgi Parvanov urged a partial withdrawal, a proposal that parliament must now decide.
To be sure, America's top two allies in Iraq - Britain, with about 8,000 soldiers, and South Korea with 3,600 - are standing firm. Australia, Albania and Georgia are boosting their presence, and NATO is expanding its training mission in Baghdad.
Yet surveys suggest opposition is running at roughly two-thirds in most coalition countries.
In Albania, a staunch U.S. ally that plans to enlarge its 71-member contingent to 121 in April, there are fears the troops could end up paying with their lives.
"Our men should be back, alive, as soon as possible,'' said Qerime Haxhia, a 54-year-old woman selling vegetables in downtown Tirana. "Can our small group help big America's army keep Iraq calm? I doubt that.''
Associated Press writers Bo-Mi Lim in Seoul, South Korea; Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania; and researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this story.
posted on March 16, 2005 10:43:43 AM new
Guess that explains why the Iraqis are enjoying more freedom.
--------------
US, Allies Not Disturbed by Italy's Proposed Pullout from Iraq
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
March 16, 2005
(CNSNews.com) -- The U.S. and key allies are downplaying news that Italy could begin a phased withdrawal of its troops from Iraq next fall. They note that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has linked the move to the Iraqi government having adequate security.
Italy's 3,000 troops make up the fourth-largest foreign force in Iraq, and some media reports characterized the announcement as another blow to Washington's "crumbling" coalition.
Berlusconi said in an Italian state television talk show that a phased pullout would take place "in agreement with our allies."
"Starting with the month of September, we would like to proceed with a gradual reduction of our soldiers," he said, adding that the wrap-up date would "depend on the ability of the Iraqi government in equipping itself with adequate security and public order forces."
Berlusconi made the announcement shortly after Italy's lower house of parliament voted to extend the Italian mission in Iraq for another six months. The Senate earlier approved the extension.
In reacting to Berlusconi's announcement, the U.S., British and Australian governments all pointed to the conditional nature of the proposed withdrawal.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the prime minister's statement made clear that "this will be based on the ability and capability of Iraqi forces and the Iraqi government to be able to assume more responsibility."
McClellan said the U.S. appreciated the contributions of the Italian soldiers, who had "served and sacrificed alongside Iraqis and alongside other coalition forces."
In London, the Daily Telegraph quoted a foreign office spokesman as saying that Berlusconi was saying "very much the same thing" as the British government - "that we will be in Iraq for as long as we are needed."
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer highlighted the fact that Italian lawmakers had voted to extend the troops' mission, and said the proposed withdrawal may not necessarily even begin in September
"I'm pleased that Italy has extended the troops by six months in Iraq and obviously at the end of that period we'll have to wait and see what the situation will be," he told journalists Wednesday.
"The Italians will make a decision then, in light of the circumstances in six months' time."
Downer said it was clear Italy had no plan to "leave Iraq in the lurch."
Australia has been a strong supporter of the U.S. in Iraq, having participated along with a larger British contingent in the March 2003 war to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
In a bid to shore up the coalition, Canberra last month agreed to increase the number of Australian troops in Iraq by some 50 percent, a move that drew strong reactions from opposition parties.
The new personnel will provide security for Japanese non-combat troops who are undertaking reconstruction tasks in southern Iraq - a symbolic, historic mission for a country whose soldiers have not been in a foreign combat zone for half a century.
Japan's war-renouncing constitution prohibits its troops from taking part in combat, making it essential that other contingents in Iraq provide force protection for the Japanese.
Dutch troops have fulfilled that function, but a decision by the Netherlands to end their mission after two years meant the 600 Japanese troops needed new protectors - or would have had to leave.
Downer would not be drawn on whether Australia had any envisaged timeline for pulling out its troops, whose tasks in Iraq include training the new national army.
"Let's just see how the training is going of the Iraqi security forces and how effective the Iraqi security forces are."
Downer said it would be "utterly foolish" for the international community to abandon the Iraqi people following their elections and as democracy develops there.
"I think what we are all planning is pretty sensible ... we build up the capacity of the Iraqis to take control of their own security and the more they can do that the less we will be needed there."
In the federal parliament Wednesday, Prime Minister John Howard would not rule out the possibility that Australia could further increase the number of its troops in Iraq, to make up for the gap the Italians may leave.
"We don't have any current plans to increase that number, but I cannot rule out some changes in the future and I don't intend to do so," he told lawmakers.
According to Global Security, coalition forces in Iraq at present include those from 25 countries apart from the U.S. - Britain, South Korea, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, Japan, Denmark, Bulgaria, Australia, Armenia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovakia.
The Netherlands is wrapping up its contribution, while the Ukraine has also begun a phased pullout of its troops.
The deputy chief of coalition operations for the Florida-based U.S. Central Command, Marine Corps Col. Kerry Burkholder, said this week the coalition went well beyond the 25 nations with troops on the ground.
Others were involved in areas including security and maritime-interdiction operations, intelligence, surveillance, humanitarian missions, political and financial backing, and the provision of out-of-country training, he told the American Forces Press Service.
Burkholder put the overall number of nations contributing at 72.
posted on March 16, 2005 11:10:20 AM new
Hey Bear, Your post just goes to show that we can all post any report we want from the internet. That's way I have been saying to the readers. Don't believe people like Bear or me. Look deeply into what this White House is doing and make up your own mind about what is good for all Americans.
posted on March 16, 2005 11:22:56 AM new
And you keep spouting "THIS White House" as if the "White House" is a living entity. The "White House" is a residence, period.
But I guess you demos are still hung up on kerrys catch phrases.
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on March 16, 2005 03:10:18 PM new
But bear is just being pedantic over terminology, just like the two posters here I had to take off of ignore to read. So live with it.
BIGPEEPA is still a Richard Cranium. And COWFLOP is still a rich organic fertilizer.
Ahhhhhh, you're both back on ignore, buh-bye.
__________
The Islamofascist fig-puckers are fighting to spread their culture and religion, and to destroy ours
posted on March 16, 2005 04:10:59 PM new
Hey Bear, below is more words today from this White House. I hope America doesn't have to send more troops to make up for the ones other countries are withdrawing.
Updated: 03:24 PM EST
Bush Denies Iraq Coalition Is Crumbling
President Says U.S. Will Not Set Timetable for Pullout
By TERENCE HUNT, AP
ABC News
President Bush took questions about Iraq and other issues at a news conference Wednesday.
WASHINGTON (March 16) - President Bush said Wednesday he understands the desire of U.S. coalition partners to withdraw troops from Iraq, but he declined to set a timetable for bringing American forces home and said he hoped others would also stay the course.
''Our troops will come home when Iraq is capable of defending herself,'' Bush told reporters.
Bush spoke a day after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced plans to start drawing down his country's 3,000-strong contingent in Iraq amid widespread anger over the recent killing of an Italian officer by U.S. troops.
Some 14 nations have withdrawn troops since the U.S.-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In a news conference in the White House press briefing room, Bush also pledged to press his case for Social Security overhaul, expressed confidence in embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and said he was concerned about surging energy costs.
The president said he had spoken by telephone to Berlusconi earlier in the day and they talked about both Iraq and Bush's recommendation of Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to become head of the World Bank.
''He wanted me to know that there was no change in his policy, that, in fact, any withdrawals would be done in consultation with allies and would be done depending upon the ability of Iraqis to defend themselves,'' Bush said.
Bush shrugged off a question about detainees being sent by the United States back to their home countries, where they could be tortured.
''The United States must make sure we protect our people and our friends from attack. One way to do so is arrest people and send them back'' to their home countries, he said. ''We seek assurances that no one will be tortured.''
Bush also reflected philosophically on his role as a second term president, saying he doesn't worry about his place in history or whether he will be vindicated in his efforts to spread democracy throughout the Middle East.
''I just don't worry about vindication or standing. ... You've got a lot on your plate on a regular basis. You don't have much time to sit around and wander, lonely in the Oval Office, kind of asking different portraits, 'How do you think my standing will be?'''
posted on March 16, 2005 04:20:14 PM new
Bear, I forgot to reply about your cartoon about Kerry its kind of funny but very outdated. You really need to get present. We are all living under this White House. This White House is the one we need to watch and expose.
Let's see....does this mean that the left who opposed and were totally against the US going into Iraq unilaterally [according to them], and who also totally discounted the help from the 'Coaliation of the willing' [which the 'right' claimed made it a multilateral effort] are THEY now worried about what THEY claimed was a non-existant coaliation to begin with?
That's pretty funny.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on March 16, 2005 05:34:17 PM new
On second thought....'are they worried'...naw....worried wouldn't be the correct word.
They're trying a kerry movement...argue the issue from both ends.
First they claim there weren't enough troops in the 'Coaliation of the willing' to make any difference. But now that they're talking about possibly withdrawing in six months...IF Iraq is more safe....this same group of US supporters leaving IS going to make a BIG difference. LOL LOL LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on March 16, 2005 07:38:28 PM new
Gee,lets all watch Dick and Jane better known as Bear and Linda K jump over Spot and blow smoke screens for this White House. They both sure like to live in the past. Kerry this,Kerry that. LOL
ITS IMPORTANT WE ALL LOOK VERY CLOSELY AT WHAT THIS WHITE HOUSE IS DOING TO US ALL.
BTW, Take a look at the latest on going poll taken by AOL below.
When do you think all U.S. troops will exit Iraq?
More than 10 years 35%
Within three years 24%
Within five years 22%
Within 10 years 19%
Total Votes: 23,492
posted on March 16, 2005 08:08:05 PM new
smokescreen again?
Maybe you ought to read your OWN copy and pastes.
"In September, we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our soldiers in Iraq,'' the ANSA news agency quoted Berlusconi as saying during the taping of a TV talk show. But, he added, the withdrawal is tied to the Iraqis being able to secure the country.
Nothing is "crumbling" as your title says. This is called 'making plans for the future'.
The Iraqi's are making great progress....they voted...they risked their lives to vote and the world watched....they proudly showed their purple fingers to the world...others in the ME are starting to demand changes too...Iraqi's have met to start forming their government. ALL these things wouldn't have happened if not for this PRESIDENT....and the 'coaliation of the willing' that the LEFT so discounted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on March 17, 2005 05:45:51 AM new
Linda K, Simply put almost every post from you is a smoke screen to cover for this White House's mistakes. You also try to confuse the difference between what this White House says and what it does.
The title of the article I posted was "Iraq Coalition Crumbling" it wasn't a title I came up with.
Yes Linda K the following paragraph was in the article said by Italy's leader.
"In September, we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our soldiers in Iraq,'' the ANSA news agency quoted Berlusconi as saying during the taping of a TV talk show. But, he added, the withdrawal is tied to the Iraqis being able to secure the country.
Now Linda you posting that one paragraph is an example of your smoke screens. We all know that the Italian people want their troops out of Iraq and more so now after the Italian Spy that freed the Italian Journalist got killed.
Berlusconi just used this White House's own propaganda "on how well things are going in Iraq" as an excuse to get the Italian troops out of Iraq.
Sorry old girl your smoke screens for this White House aren't working any longer. The majority of American are now seeing through the White House and its supporters like you. In the AOL poll above most Americans don't think we will be out of Iraq very soon. The majority think it will be over 10 years before our troops will come home IF EVER.
Today in Iraq our troops are still being killed and wounded. Our money is still being spent by the Billions WITH NO END IN SIGHT.
posted on March 17, 2005 06:05:56 AM new
So Peepa, is it a good thing the coalition is crumbling???? You seem so happy to report about it, as if it prooves the administration is to blame.
I dont think its something you get a one-up-manship for just because your pro democrat. If it is happening, its not a good thing for our troops - and you should not take delight in it just so you can slop around this "White House" sux, or whatever anti-republican agenda pushing is here.
posted on March 17, 2005 11:55:28 AM new
Hello dblfugger8, I fully agree with you that countries pulling their troops out of Iraq is very bad for American troops. I have already said I hope America doesn't have to send more AMERICAN troops to replace the withdrawn troops from other countries. I take no delight in pointing out what a poor job this White House is doing with this war at the expense of our troops.
For me its not about Republicans or Democrats in general. I really have no problems with Republicans. Its the GREEDY SELF SERVING Republicans that I have a problem with. Its also about what this White House and the Republican controlled house and senate is doing to the American middle and working class. I believe this White House is out to make the greedy self serving Republicans richer and the rest of us poorer. I also believe that many middle class republicans that got duped for their vote is also starting to see they are also going down the tubes with the rest of us.
I will continual to make posts to show what this White House is doing and what they are saying. I will also make posts to expose a few people on this board that twist words and blow smoke screens to cover up the poor job this White House is doing and their self serving greed.
posted on March 17, 2005 12:26:13 PM new
One thing we know about you Peepa ...you use statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination.
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
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