E. European support waning in Iraq

[Barrett808]

E. European support waning in Iraq
By John Dyer, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

SOFIA, BULGARIA - "New Europe" is saying goodbye to Iraq.

Some of the former East bloc's largest contingents in the US-led coalition are slated to bow out of fighting after Iraq's parliamentary elections in December.

"One of the main reasons was the growing negative public opinion in Ukraine towards the deployment of our troops in Iraq," says Ihor Dolhov, a deputy foreign minister in Ukraine.

The expected exit of Poland, Bulgaria, and Ukraine signals both an acknowledgment of their citizens' disapproval of the war as well as a diplomatic swing back toward their erstwhile critics in western Europe, who reproached them for joining the 2003 invasion. But transatlantic ties proved to be critical in the original decisionmaking process, says Vessela Tcherneva, an analyst at the Centre for Liberal Strategies here in Sofia, Bulgaria.

And their role may not be over: The new Polish government, considering a repeal of the former government's plans for withdrawal, could be influenced by meetings with US officials in Washington this week. Polish Defense Minister Radek Sikorski will talk with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Wednesday.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20051206/wl_csm/opulled

[Mizmoon]

1. How many are left in the coalition now?

Is it just us and the UK at this point?

[Barrett808]

2. Here's the list:

Countries Contributing Forces To U.S.-Led Coalition In Iraq
Fri, 02 Dec 2005 13:42:50 GMT
http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg130854.html

A look at nations in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, what they are doing, and whether or when they plan to draw down or withdraw. At least 27 nations now support a U.S. contingent of nearly 160,000 troops.

ALBANIA: 120 non-combat troops, mainly patrolling airport in Mosul; no plans to withdraw.

ARMENIA: 46 soldiers serving under Polish command; no plans to withdraw.

AUSTRALIA: Roughly 900 troops and support personnel; largest contingent of about 450 in southern province of Muthanna could be withdrawn by May.

AZERBAIJAN: 150 troops, mostly serving as sentries, on patrols and protecting dam near city of Hadid Ha; no plans to withdraw.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: 36 experts identifying and destroying unexploded ordnance; no plans to withdraw.

BRITAIN: About 8,000 troops in southern Iraq, roughly 2,000 others in Gulf region; no formal deadline, but unofficial talk of withdrawing at end of 2006.

BULGARIA: 380 infantry troops in south-central city of Diwaniya; pullout set to begin after Dec. 15.

CZECH REPUBLIC: 102 military police training Iraqi officers, and three doctors and three nurses serving at British military hospital; Senate this week approved extension through 2006; lower chamber must approve.

DENMARK: 530 troops patrolling southern Iraqi city of Basra; mission expires July 1, 2006; government says force will stay as long as needed.

EL SALVADOR: 380 soldiers doing peacekeeping and humanitarian work in Hillah; no immediate plans to withdrawal.

ESTONIA: 34 troops, mostly infantry, serving under U.S. command in Baghdad, manning checkpoints, patrolling neighborhoods, searching houses for weapons, escorting convoys; parliament expected in next two weeks to extend mission set to expire Dec. 31.

GEORGIA: 898 combat forces, medics and support personnel serving under U.S. command in Baquba; no plans to withdraw or reduce contingent.

ITALY: About 2,800 troops, most in southern city of Nasiriyah, involved in training, security and reconstruction; government plans to draw down in groups of 300; target dates reportedly to be presented to parliament within weeks.

JAPAN: 600 troops based in Samawah to support reconstruction; non-combat mission expires Dec. 14; Cabinet reportedly deciding next week to extend it but troop withdrawals still could begin in May.

KAZAKHSTAN: 27 troops charged with clearing mines, providing water to Iraqis; no firm plans for withdrawal.

LATVIA: 135 soldiers, mostly infantry, manning checkpoints, patrolling and escorting materials; parliament last month extended mission through 2006.

LITHUANIA: 110 soldiers, mostly infantry; mission extended to end of 2007, but 50 serving with Polish contingent will not be replaced if Poles leave.

MACEDONIA: 32 troops providing security in Taji, north of Baghdad; no plans to withdraw; government waiting for U.S. response to offer to double its forces.

MOLDOVA: Plans to send 18 bomb defusal experts soon.

MONGOLIA: 120 troops; no plans to withdraw.

NETHERLANDS: 19 troops; 15 training Iraqi police and army officers, three in Basra, one in Baghdad; 1,400 troops left in stages last spring.

NORWAY: Insists not part of coalition but has 16 liaison and training officers in Iraq; all to be withdrawn in December.

POLAND: 1,400 troops providing security and training Iraqi soldiers; 100 are demining experts; decision expected by mid-December on extending mission beyond Dec. 31.

ROMANIA: 863 troops, including 400 infantry, 150 mine experts, 100 military police, 50 military intelligence plus medics and U.N. guards; no plans to withdraw.

SLOVAKIA: 104 troops stationed in Hillah in Polish sector, mostly engaged in demining; no plans to withdraw; next troop rotation in March.

SOUTH KOREA: About 3,200 troops in northern Iraq helping with reconstruction; parliament expected to vote this month to bring home 1,000 but extend mission for another year.

UKRAINE: 876 troops; to be withdrawn by Dec. 30.

[bluedawg12]

3. Two is a "date" not a coalition! The romance between Tony and shrub.

Soon, we will be the only ones there.