| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
15 Mar 2005 09:14:38 AM |
| Object: |
Georgie Bush's dwindling Coalition of the Unwilling |
From The BBC, 3/15/05:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4350573.stm
Iraq's strained coalition
By Nick Childs
BBC News
Two of the largest contingents in the US-led coalition in Iraq, the
Netherlands and Ukraine, are in the process of pulling their forces
out.
_____________________________________________________
Going, going, gone.
Harry
.
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: Georgie Bush's dwindling Coalition of the Unwilling |
15 Mar 2005 09:18:55 AM |
|
|
Looks like Bush sending the Ukraine $65 million of our tax dollars
didn't get him what he wanted.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Big Al" |
|
| Title: Well at least we have Poland |
15 Mar 2005 10:54:33 PM |
|
|
<mordacpreventor@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1110899935.558058.214140@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Looks like Bush sending the Ukraine $65 million of our tax dollars
didn't get him what he wanted.
I wonder how the rightards now feel about bashing the Italians.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4352259.stm
Italy 'to pull troops from Iraq'
Italy is to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq in September 2005,
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said.
He told Rai state television the pullout would take place "in agreement with
our allies".
Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq - the fourth largest foreign contingent.
Domestic opposition to Italy's involvement in Iraq intensified after the
killing of an Italian agent by US troops in Baghdad earlier this month.
The surprise announcement came as Italy's lower house of parliament backed a
recent Senate vote to extend the country's military presence in Iraq beyond
June.
'Progressive reduction'
Mr Berlusconi has been one of US President George W Bush's staunchest allies
in the US-led war in Iraq.
But, he said, after speaking to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair he concluded
that public opinion in both countries favoured a troop withdrawal.
"In September we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our
soldiers in Iraq.
"I spoke to Tony Blair about it, and public opinion in our countries is
expecting this decision," he told Rai.
He said the exact numbers would depend on the Iraqi government's ability to
deal with security.
Strained relations
In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan played down the
announcement.
"We certainly appreciate the contributions of the Italians. They have served
and sacrificed alongside Iraqis and alongside other coalition forces," he
said.
He emphasised that Italy's withdrawal "will be based on the ability and
capability of Iraqi forces and the Iraqi government to be able to assume
more responsibility".
But he rejected suggestions that Italy's decision was due to strained
relations after secret service agent Nicola Calipari was shot dead by US
troops in Baghdad on 4 March.
"I haven't heard any comment to that effect from Italian officials," he was
quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
Mr Berlusconi has said the US must accept responsibility for the shooting,
which is being investigated by the US military.
The BBC's Tamsin Smith in Rome says it is the first time Mr Berlusconi has
suggested a timetable for withdrawal.
Our correspondent says the Italian government is also mindful of local
elections looming early next month.
Also on Tuesday, two other members of the US-led coalition in Iraq - the
Netherlands and Ukraine - began a phased withdrawal from the country.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
