Reply #95: AP: U.S.-led coalition allies bail out in Iraq [View All]

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http://www.detnews.com/2005/nation/0503/16/A01-119003.htm

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

U.S.-led coalition allies bail out in Iraq

By William J. Kole / Associated Press

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ROME -- 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 past 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Two years after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, 14 of the coalition's 38 countries have withdrawn. Excluding U.S. forces, there are 22,750 foreign soldiers in Iraq. About 150,000 U.S. troops shoulder the bulk of the responsibility and suffer the most casualties. Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi alluded to a rising anti-war sentiment and discontent among leaders, 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."

Italy, a staunch U.S. ally, had vowed to stay despite suffering 21 casualties and enduring fierce public opposition that escalated this month after GIs in Baghdad fatally shot an Italian intelligence agent escorting a freed hostage. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Barry Venable, said the decisions by some nations to reduce or end their presence in Iraq are part of the process of turning security over to Iraq's government. "The coalition is strong."