... met staart tussen de benen of common sence?

[Henk Elegeert]

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http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5186252
International News Article | Reuters.com


Honduran Troops Complete Withdrawal from Iraq
Wed May 19, 2004 12:43 AM ET

By Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters) - The last Honduran troops
in Iraq have completed their withdrawal earlier than planned
because of the spiraling violence in the war zone, a
Honduran defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"All our soldiers have now left Iraq and are in Kuwait. The
last group arrived in Kuwait today," Lt. Col. Rafael Moreno
told Reuters.

The Central American nation's 370-strong contingent had
intended to stay in Iraq until its mandate expired in July
but decided to pull out early after Spain's announcement
last month that it would withdraw its 1,400 troops.

The Honduran troops started their withdrawal on May 11 and
the last group to leave will fly back on Friday to a
military base shared with U.S. troops in central Honduras,
Moreno said.

Spain had been in charge of troops from other
Spanish-speaking nations in Iraq, including those from El
Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Although Central American countries were keen to build on
close trade and immigration ties with the United States by
sending troops to Iraq, support for the U.S.-led coalition
in Iraq has dwindled as attacks on foreign troops and
civilians have escalated.

"There was a total change in the situation and our troops
weren't going to fight. We went (to participate in)
operations of stabilization, security and reconstruction,"
said Moreno.

"When the armed violence began to escalate, our troops had
to regroup and stop their patrols and vigilance due to the
threats."

Nicaragua brought its troops home in February and said
recently it would send them back only as part of a United
Nations peace mission.

The Dominican Republic has announced it will also bring its
troops home early. El Salvador has said it will keep its
soldiers in Iraq until their scheduled return in August but
has yet to say whether they will be replaced.

Honduras sent troops to Iraq around the middle of last year.
They have mainly been clearing mines and providing medical
care in central Iraq.

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