British
troops will begin leaving Iraq
The White
House portrayed the British move as a sign of progress in
Iraq but Democrats seized on it to pressure President George
W. Bush to bring U.S. troops home.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose popularity at home has sunk because of his decision go to war in Iraq, said British troop levels would be reduced by 1,600, but soldiers would remain into 2008 to provide support and training if Iraq wanted.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose popularity at home has sunk because of his decision go to war in Iraq, said British troop levels would be reduced by 1,600, but soldiers would remain into 2008 to provide support and training if Iraq wanted.
"The actual reduction in forces will be from
the present 7,100 -- itself down from over
9,000 two years ago ... -- to roughly
5,500," he told parliament.
Following Britain's lead, Denmark and Lithuania said they would withdraw most of their troops from Iraq by August. Many other countries which joined the U.S.-led operation, such as Japan and Spain, have already pulled out their troops and others, such as South Korea, have announced plans to do so.
Following Britain's lead, Denmark and Lithuania said they would withdraw most of their troops from Iraq by August. Many other countries which joined the U.S.-led operation, such as Japan and Spain, have already pulled out their troops and others, such as South Korea, have announced plans to do so.
Bush, in contrast, is
sending 21,500 more troops
to Iraq where U.S. forces
number some 141,000.
