WAR: U.S. Coalition Crumbling, Honduras Out of Iraq

It seems that the U.S. led coalition in Iraq is loosing its foundation. After Spain it 's now Honduras that announces a total withdraw of troops, presently in a Spanish-led humanitarian and peacekeeping brigade. Scheduled pull out is at the end of June, because of the absence of a new U.N. mandate on Iraq. Nicaragua had troops in the Ultra Plus Brigade too, about 115 soldiers, those troops have since gone home. The Nicaraguan government claims a lack of sufficient funding for a second contingent.

Reuters

Even though the U.S. goverment tried to get further support from The Netherlands, the Dutch goverment also seems to decline a further commitment, and will most probably pull out its 1,300 troops, also at the end of June, as Dutch domestic pressure rises.

"I would remind Dutch citizens that al-Qaida has an interest in Iraq for a reason," Bush said after meeting Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands, which is considering bringing its troops home in July. "They realize this is a front in the war on terror, and they fear the spread of freedom and democracy in places like the greater Middle East."

Related Stories:
HoustonChronicle
SFGate
Middle East Online


[Edited on 19-4-2004 by Banshee]

[Edited on 19-4-2004 by Hoaks]

Good Lord, not Honduras, they were the backbone of our forces there

Anyway, those troops were attached to a Spanish unit, hence their withdrawal.

There are other countries considering a pull out also.

The Australian opposition wants to pull out.
The Philippine president said she might pull out if the situation deteriorates.
Norway has also said they may pull out.

The number of troops may not be that great but the move is still of importance because it shows international support dwindling even further.

More power to those that pull out.
National interests must be adhered to.
As such, the US, along with those who end up staying, will carry on with their intended purposes and goals for Iraq.


seekerof

Honduras!

Hon-farkin-duras!

WHATEVER!

It may not seem like a big loss, but I'd agree that it might be a sign of even less support for the US plan in Iraq as time goes on.

"Honduras' forces were authorized to go to Iraq for peace operations and reconstruction, but now in Iraq there is a situation of armed violence and there is worry over the risk," Juan Orlando Hernandez, a legislator from the ruling National Party, said.

So basically, they're saying they didn't expect to see any kind of problems as peacekeepers? Isn't that part of why you're there as a peacekeeper? To help keep the peace if things begin to break down?

just because some countries are dropping out doesnt mean all will...............

i personally thought that spain should have gone in to the end

(TheDeamonHunter)
"Peace operations" in this case stand for "non-combat."

Yeah,

Well little DOGS do not last long in a BIG DOG fight After July the first and then August the first much more will be obvious

TUT

Originally posted by Hoaks
(TheDeamonHunter)
"Peace operations" in this case stand for "non-combat."

Tell that to the UN and NATO forces in Kosovo.


seekerof

we dont need em let em go.

The Dominican Republic is also pulling out:

The Dominican Republic's secretary of the armed forces, Lt. Gen. Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez, said President Hipolito Mejia had decided on a withdrawal "as soon as possible" after meeting on Tuesday with senior aides.
www.reuters.com...

Good find AceofBase.....
Did you happen to see or run across this by chance:
Malaysia may send troops to Iraq



seekerof

Nope.
That's the first time I saw that one.

It seems like they are waiting for the UN to get in there before they join in though.

It still seems strange that a Muslim country would want to join the effort in Iraq.

[Edited on 20-4-2004 by AceOfBase]