Italy Pulling About Half of Its Troops From Iraq

What happened to this so-called grand coalition of the willing? It appears that more and more countries are leaving the U.S. and Britain alone in Iraq to deal with the disaster they have created. It was never a serious coalition anyway. That was all propaganda. Outside of Britain and the U.S., other nations sent mostly token forces.... a couple thousand or a few hundred. These token forces were sent to Iraq to create the impression that there was a "coalition". Nearly all of those countries have since withdrawn from Iraq.

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From Houston Chronicle

May 26, 2006, 3:19PM

Italy to pull 1,100 troops from Iraq
Associated Press


ROME — The Italian military contingent in Iraq will be reduced by more than 1,000 troops in June, Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said today.
"In June we will reduce our troops from 2,700 to 1,600," D'Alema said during an evening television show.

It was the first time the government has been specific about the number of troops to be withdrawn from Iraq. The announcement came after D'Alema met with Premier Romano Prodi to map an exit strategy.

Most Italian troops in the U.S.-led coalition are in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. They are involved in training, security and reconstruction.

Source

Additional article says Italy will pull out completely by the end of 2006