Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 286 Thu. March 17, 2005  
   
Front Page


Italy to start Iraq pullout in Sept
Fresh blow to Bush's shrinking war coalition


Leading US ally Italy said on Tuesday it would start withdrawing its soldiers from Iraq in September, in a fresh blow to President Bush's shrinking coalition.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, one of Bush's most vocal supporters, said he was in talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about a total exit strategy from Iraq, adding people in both countries wanted their troops to return home.

"We will begin to reduce our contingent even before the end of the year, starting in September, in agreement with our allies," said Berlusconi, who faces an election next year and went against public opinion to deploy troops in Iraq.

Asked on RAI state television when a total withdrawal would take place, Berlusconi said: "It will depend on the capacity of the Iraqi government to provide adequate security."

Despite strong opposition at home, Berlusconi sent some 3,000 troops to Iraq -- the fourth largest foreign contingent after US, British and South Korean forces.

But pressure has mounted on him to withdraw the troops since intelligence agent Nicola Calipari was killed earlier this month by US soldiers shortly after rescuing an Italian hostage.

The White House said Berlusconi's decision was not linked to Calipari's death, but the incident has strained Italy's relations with the United States and Bush has promised an investigation.