Middle East News
Romania ready to leave troops in Iraq
Nov 26, 2008, 15:55 GMT
Bucharest - Romania is ready to leave its 498 soldiers in Iraq if the Iraqi government asks them to stay, Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu was quoted Wednesday as saying.
His remark, reported by the Mediafax news agency, came after Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu said in early November that Romania might pull out its remaining troops before year's end.
The UN Security Council mandate for foreign troops in Iraq runs out on December 31.
Romania, a NATO member, is one of several ex-communist East European countries that has kept soldiers with the US-led force in Iraq.
Fifteen non-US countries, led by Britain, make up the dwindling international contingent. Most of the roughly 150,000 troops in Iraq are US soldiers.
Poland, which once commanded a whole sector of Iraq, recently withdrew its last troops. Japan is expected to end nearly five years of airlift support in Iraq under the UN mandate as early as this week.
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Older Talkback
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I think the Romanian contingent is a helpful member of the 'Fifteen non-US countries, led by Britain, make up the dwindling international contingent.'
Contrast the Romanian's behaviour with the British army's behaviour in their 'overwatch' of Basra. They refused to support the Iraqi army (an ally?) because they had made a 'deal' with the Shi'ite militia not to intervene. The US had to support the Iraqi army in the British sector because the British would not. Add to this the capitulation of the British Brigadier in Afghanistan, and you have an questionable ally 'leading' the international contingent.
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JustinNov 26th, 2008 - 16:04:15
That's it, Al Qaeda might as well pack it up and go home. All 498 of Romania's troops are staying. Who cares? The US probably sends that many pregnant soldiers out of the country every year. I understand the whole 'Coalition of the Willing' thing, but either make meaningful contributions or go home so our facilities don't have to support you.
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