El Salvador's President Says Troops Will Stay in Iraq

[cal04]

The only country in the Western Hemisphere besides the United States still fielding soldiers in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq may extend its troop deployment beyond a scheduled return early next year, El Salvador's president said Saturday.

"We're helping the Iraqi people, and if there is the need to prolong our presence, if the authorities need it and we can help, I would not have a problem," President Tony Saca said.

A decision will be made after the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq, he said.

El Salvador is the only Western Hemisphere country with soldiers still aiding the United States in Iraq. Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic withdrew their troops.Salvadoran forces have been in Iraq since August 2003, with 380 troops currently serving there. The contingent is scheduled to come home in February after a six-month tour.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBXU2JQ63E.html

[Be Brave]

1. Sucker! n/t

[VegasWolf]

2. Yes, both troops! n/t

[NYC Liberal]

3. Kerry forgot El Salvador!

[Miami Liberal]

4. Who says we don't have a coalition of the willing?

:crazy:

[Erika]

5. Helping the Iraqi people?

Sure. Are we paying for cradle to death benefits for the El Salvodarans, improved infrastructures, and good schools?

Bush is far more generous to using our taxes to pay benefits for other countries. But, by God, we can't afford this help and damn well need to tighten our belts, and make lazy Americans get off their asses and earn a decent living.

[VegasWolf]

6. Dumb fucks! n/t

[DrDebug]

7. Stupid decision. El Salvador will soon enter the Top 10 as well

The future "Coalition of the Willing"
According to the wiki-list with the countries who have decided to leave taken out.
1. USA 130,000
2. United Kingdom 9,000
3. Italy 3,000
4. Ukraine 1,600 - might pull-out dep. election
5. Australia 800
6. Romania 700
7. South Korea 600 - only in stable places
8. Bulgaria 480 - but everybody who wants to go home is free to go
9. Denmark 420 - might pull-out dep. election
10. El Salvador 380 (acc. report)
11. Japan 240
12. Mongolia 160
13. Azerbaijan 150
14. Latvia 120
15. Lithuania 118
16. Slovakia 102
17. Czech Republic 80
18. Albania 70
19. Georgia 70
20. New Zealand 61
21. Moldova 50
22. Macedonia 37
23. Estonia 31
24. Kazakhstan 25