Posted on 03/15/2005 11:24:40 AM PST by areafiftyone
Italy is to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq in September 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said.
He told Rai state television the pullout would take place "in agreement with our allies".
Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq - the fourth largest foreign contingent.
Domestic opposition to Italy's involvement in Iraq intensified after the killing of an Italian agent by US troops in Baghdad earlier this month.
The announcement comes weeks after the Italian Senate voted to extend the country's military presence in Iraq beyond June.
Mr Berlusconi has been one of US President George W Bush's staunchest allies in the US-led war in Iraq.
But, he said, after speaking to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair he concluded that public opinion in both countries favoured a troop withdrawal.
"I spoke to Tony Blair about it, and public opinion in our countries is expecting this decision," he told Rai.
speechless
Could Blair be next with a withdrawal date, before his upcoming elections?
Cheers.
So, terrorism works, I guess.
So, terrorism works, I guess.
Honestly, as we stand up the Iraqi Army, do we need so many of our own troops there. Isn't that the goal. Besides, Iraqis have to fight for themselves, which they are starting to do increasingly.
DUers are peeing in their pants over this. It's a shame that Berlosconi finally gave into the Anti-Americans Peaceniks!
Great. So the objectives that were desired by the terrorists and that spineless socialist cow were achieved, in spite of her being caught lying at every turn.
What are we supposed to learn from this?
I would think at least some of our own troops will be withdrawn by year's end or early next year. We'll see, though.
To the Italians I say, "Thanks for the help, Iraq and America can handle it from here."
In a way, this is good. It just proves to the world that America is one of the very few countries that is reliable and courageous. The rest are panty-waists (sp?).
Well, hopefully when the Italians leave they will alert us (American Forces) of when and where they will be departing. I would hate for them to blow through another checkpoint like their communist windbag did.
Despite European media and the Democratic Underground, Italy's withdrawal should be viewed as a sign of success. I would expect that there will be fewer American troops by next Fall as well. Italy stuck with us through the darkest of times and they were there for the handover of power and the Iraqi elections. Spain? Well, they have the government they probably deserve.
I agree. We may have even suggested it behind the scenes. We'll be the last to leave. Italy is still on my list for next vacation destination.
In the piece I read, there was this fine print:
[quote]Withdrawing Italian troops “will depend on the capability of the Iraqi government to give itself structures for acceptable security,” Berlusconi said.
[/quote]
Nothing for the DUers to pee their pants over, and nothing much for the other side of the aisle to attack him for , either.
Is there anyone except me who thinks that the "ally" troops have been more of a hinderance than a help?
To the Italians: thank you and sorry you couldn't see things through to the end.
OH by the way everyone this post made DU because they think we are crying our eyes out over this. But I agree with Rhombus!
Italy has been paying the ransoms for some time now. They foolishly and secretly paid that commie journalist's ransom and look what happened. Terrorism seems to have worked in Italy and Spain. They will learn the hard way.
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