Italy eyes Iraq troop pullout in Sept.
By FRANCES D'EMILIO
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
ROME -- Italy, one of Washington's most stalwart allies in Iraq, announced it could begin pulling its troops out in September, an acknowledgment by Premier Silvio Berlusconi that Italian public opinion is heavily against the war.
The announcement Tuesday by the conservative leader was the most high-profile crack in what the U.S. administration has boasted in the past was a solid alliance. The Netherlands is ending its mission this month, and Poland plans to withdraw some troops in July.
"Starting with the month of September, we would like to proceed with a gradual reduction of our soldiers," on condition that Iraq could provide "acceptable" security, Berlusconi said.
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