Spain's withdrawing triggers domino effect
Wu Yixue  Updated: 2004-04-23 08:43

In a realization of the Bush administration's worst-case scenario, a "domino effect" has been triggered by the Spanish Government's decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

On Wednesday, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen said his country will also withdraw its troops from the US-led coalition occupying Iraq by June 30.

When answering questions from congressmen, Petersen said the current situation in Iraq has made it unnecessary for Norway to continue to station its 150-member contingent for a prolonged period beyond that deadline.

The foreign minister explained his country's withdrawal plan as the result of the Norwegian Government's established policy of giving priority to the peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan rather than in Iraq.

A more plausible reason for Norway withdrawing its troops is the potential threat to its soldiers, along with it being influenced by Spain's move.

On Sunday, newly-inaugurated Spanish Prime Minister Jopse Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced his country would withdraw about 1,300 troops from Iraq as soon as possible.

Spain, once one of Washington's staunchest supporters for invading Iraq without UN authorization, was the first Western country to pull out.

Fearing other countries might follow suit, US President George W. Bush criticized Zapatero's decision and warned the move could disrupt on-going security and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

The Spanish decision was made in the midst of increased violence and the growing pressure every country in the US-led coalition is facing.

Following Spain's announcement, the tiny Latin American nation of Honduras said on Monday it will recall about 370 of its soldiers from Iraq.

Honduras, which has close ties with the United States, said the decision was the result of escalating violence and pressure created by the Spanish withdrawal.

Dominica, another Latin American country, made a similar decision on Tuesday.

"The president (Hipolito Mejia) has decided on the withdrawal of our troops in Iraq as he believes there is no need to run unnecessary risks," said Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez, secretary of the armed forces of the Republic of Dominica.

The latest withdrawal announcements will no doubt strike another heavy blow to the United States. But these countries are not the end of the list.

A senior official from Poland, one of the European countries towards which Washington has shown favouritism, said on Monday his government is also considering a plan to pull its 2,500 troops out of Iraq.

The Thai Government has likewise indicated it will withdraw its troops if security conditions continue to deteriorate.

So far, US military allies the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan have expressed understanding towards the withdrawal plan of other countries, even if they continue to support the US military programme in Iraq.

The ceaseless violence and decisions by other coalition members to recall their troops underline the gravity of the US position in Iraq.

And it is the Bush administration, which orchestrated the current situation, that now must taste the bitter fruit it has sown.

(China Daily)

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