Italy Pulling Troops Out of Iraq by this September

[Frodo]

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.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=Italy%20Iraq

[2952-0-0]

Also, just to let you know, the courts in Rome are treating the shooting of the Italian agent as a second degree murder. Could there be a link between the two?

[Ebowed]

At least all of my relatives may stop complaining about Berlusconi for a while.

[Jake]

Hm, seems to be following on schedule.  Iraq will be alot more stable by the fall/winter of 2005, and less troops will be required as a whole.

[Keystone Phil]

At least all of my relatives may stop complaining about Berlusconi for a while.

I like Berlusconi but it's obviously a bad decision.

[phk]

At least all of my relatives may stop complaining about Berlusconi for a while.

I like Berlusconi but it's obviously a bad decision.

It helps him out back home.

[Erc]

It would have been nice had they stayed around until next January or so, but ah well.

We went in first, we come out last.

Expect the US to start pulling out in force well before the '06 midterms (b/w February & July)

[moderate_devil_dog]

How many troops did Italy have stationed in Iraq?

[Jake]

How many troops did Italy have stationed in Iraq?

c. 2,000 I think