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Italy dutch ukraine pull troops from iraq { March 16 2005 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/229577-8212-010.html http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/229577-8212-010.html Italy to pull troops from Iraq amid anti-war sentiment By William J. Kole Associated Press March 16, 2005 ROME -- Italy's prime minister announced Tuesday that the country will start reducing its 3,000-strong military contingent in Iraq in September, putting a fresh crack in the crumbling U.S.-led coalition as Ukraine welcomed home its first returning troops. The moves come on top of the withdrawal of more than a dozen countries over the last year and could complicate efforts to keep the peace while Iraq's new government builds up police and military units capable of taking over from foreign forces. Mounting casualties and kidnappings have stoked anti-war sentiment and sapped leaders' resolve to put troops at risk. Ukraine will call back all of its 1,650 troops by October; the majority of 1,400 Dutch troops return home this month; and Poland, which hopes to pull out completely by early 2006, will withdraw several hundred of its 1,700 soldiers in July. Surveys suggest opposition to the war runs at roughly two-thirds in most coalition countries. Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who confirmed he will seek re-election next year, said Italy will begin pulling troops back in September. But he said the withdrawal is tied to Iraqis being able to secure the country. Italy, a staunch U.S. ally, had vowed to stay despite suffering 21 casualties and enduring fierce public opposition that escalated this month after U.S. soldiers in Baghdad killed an Italian intelligence agent escorting a newly freed hostage. Thirty-eight countries provided troops in Iraq at one point or another. But 14 nations have permanently withdrawn since the 2003 invasion, and today's coalition stands at 24. Excluding 150,000 U.S. troops, there are 22,750 foreign soldiers still in Iraq. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Barry Venable, said the reductions are part of the process of turning security over to Iraqis.

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