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Coalition members announce troop pullouts from Iraq
 The left-leaning coalition expected to form Norway's new government is likely to withdraw the country's tiny military contingent from Iraq after it takes power, the bloc's leader said. The news coincided with the announcement by Italy's premier that his country would continue to reduce its military presence in Iraq. Labor leader Jens Stoltenberg, who is seeking to form a new government after winning this week's national election, said he informed U.S. President George W. Bush of the Norwegian position during a telephone conversation late Thursday. "We made it clear that Norway should not have officers in Iraq, but want to continue close cooperation with the Americans and participate in the fight against terrorism," Stoltenberg said on the state radio network NRK on Friday.Bush had called Stoltenberg to congratulate him on winning the parliamentary election. A withdrawal would be a largely symbolic gesture, since Norway, which strongly opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, only has about 20 liaison officers in Iraq. Half are attached to the U.S.-led coalition and the other half are under NATO command. Stoltenberg is opening negotiations next week with two coalition partners. The timing and size of a Norwegian withdrawal from Iraq would not be clear until the three parties complete negotiations on a joint political platform, a process expected to take several weeks. It would be the second time a coalition member pulls out its troops from Iraq following the outcome of elections. Spain's Socialist government withdrew its forces after sweeping to power last year in a poll largely dominated by popular resentment against the Spanish involvement in the Iraqi war. Posted by: Fred 2005-09-17 |
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