Hungary Pulling Out of Iraq
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BUDAPEST, Hungary -- President Bush's ''coalition of the willing'' in Iraq isn't quite so willing any more, even though its largest members -- Britain and Italy -- are standing firm.
In a blow to U.S. efforts to keep countries from deserting the multinational force, Hungary said this week it won't keep troops there beyond March 31. The Czechs plan to pull out by the end of February, the Dutch soon afterward. And Japan is feeling pressure to withdraw.
There could be even more troop pullouts after Iraq holds elections in January and nations feel their obligations have ended. The United States has about 142,000 troops in Iraq.
''We should never have sent troops to Iraq. Bringing them back now is already too late,'' said Janos Fekete, a Budapest shopkeeper.
Key allies said this week their troops were staying. Britain said Hungary's decision would not prompt a withdrawal of its 8,500 troops, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said his country's 3,000 troops would remain for as long as the Iraqi government wants. Berlusconi said it was part of Italy's duty in ''defending democracy in the world.''
Denmark said its 501 troops in the southern Iraqi city of Basra will stay as long as needed, and Romania is considering bolstering its 730-member force for the elections.
Nevertheless, Hungary's announcement that it won't keep its 300 non-combat soldiers in Iraq beyond the end of March dealt a blow to the coalition.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher played down the threat of significant drawdowns or pullouts. The Bush administration has worked to preserve and expand the coalition since Spain withdrew its 1,300 troops this year.
''It's too early now to start predicting a mass exodus or departure,'' Boucher said. ''There are a number of countries that have stepped up. There are number of countries going down. ... We have always felt that the situation on the ground should determine how people stay and how they work.''
BUDAPEST, Hungary -- President Bush's ''coalition of the willing'' in Iraq isn't quite so willing any more, even though its largest members -- Britain and Italy -- are standing firm.
In a blow to U.S. efforts to keep countries from deserting the multinational force, Hungary said this week it won't keep troops there beyond March 31. The Czechs plan to pull out by the end of February, the Dutch soon afterward. And Japan is feeling pressure to withdraw.
There could be even more troop pullouts after Iraq holds elections in January and nations feel their obligations have ended. The United States has about 142,000 troops in Iraq.
''We should never have sent troops to Iraq. Bringing them back now is already too late,'' said Janos Fekete, a Budapest shopkeeper.
Key allies said this week their troops were staying. Britain said Hungary's decision would not prompt a withdrawal of its 8,500 troops, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said his country's 3,000 troops would remain for as long as the Iraqi government wants. Berlusconi said it was part of Italy's duty in ''defending democracy in the world.''
Denmark said its 501 troops in the southern Iraqi city of Basra will stay as long as needed, and Romania is considering bolstering its 730-member force for the elections.
Nevertheless, Hungary's announcement that it won't keep its 300 non-combat soldiers in Iraq beyond the end of March dealt a blow to the coalition.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher played down the threat of significant drawdowns or pullouts. The Bush administration has worked to preserve and expand the coalition since Spain withdrew its 1,300 troops this year.
''It's too early now to start predicting a mass exodus or departure,'' Boucher said. ''There are a number of countries that have stepped up. There are number of countries going down. ... We have always felt that the situation on the ground should determine how people stay and how they work.''
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