US surprised at reports Romania wants to leave Iraq

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said it was surprised by reports that Romania planned to withdraw its troops from Iraq, and said it would ask for clarification.

State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said Washington had not been informed of any plans to pull out the 890-strong Romanian force, which he said had performed ably and courageously.

Earlier, Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu had said he would ask Romania's Supreme Defence Council (CSAT) to withdraw the soldiers because of the human and financial cost of staying in Iraq.

Adding to the confusion, amid signs of political dischord in Romania, the pro-US President Traian Basescu said later there must be a proper national debate before withdrawing the troops.

"These latest reports from Romania are, frankly, a surprise," Ereli told reporters.

"We hadn't been informed about them. They're certainly not consistent with what we've heard from senior Romanian leadership, and I think we'll be looking for clarification."

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060629/pl_afp/usiraqromaniatroops

[ixion]

1. gee, what county wouldn't LOVE to be mired down in Iraq with the US

:eyes:

[AndyTiedye]

2. It Probably Didn't Take Much National Debate to Come to That Decision

"Who wants to stay?"

<crickets>

[struggle4progress]

3. Romania expected to withdraw troops in Iraq from 2006 (August 26, 2005)

UPDATED: 08:26, August 26, 2005
Romania expected to withdraw troops in Iraq from 2006: defense minister

Romania will begin to withdraw its troops in Iraq from next year, Defense Minister Teodor Atanaxiu said in remarks published on Thursday.

The Romanian contingent will remain in Iraq this year and begin to pull out gradually in 2006, the Adevarul (Truth) newspaper quoted Atanaxiu as saying.

"We hope Iraqi troops would take over the mission from us from next year so that we could scale down our troops," said Atanaxiu ...

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/romania.html

[uppityperson]

4. "Clarification please." "Yes, adios".

[daleo]

5. Talk about being taken for granted

"What? You're leaving, Romania? But why didn't you say something...this is so unexpected...we promise to pay more attention to you from now on."

[tabasco]

6. Maybe we missed a payment?

The Bush admin was paying for countries to send as little as single battalions so they could list another country in the "Coalition of the Willing" (LMAO). 890 troops is a reinforced battalion. More work for the already overstressed US troops.


Maybe we stopped payments or maybe the Romanians just wised up.

[theophilus]

7. Is there ANYTHING that doesn't "surprise" these evil knuckleheads?

Maybe the Republican Party should be renamed the "Surprise Party"!

[Supersedeas]

8. maybe Dr. Rice or VP Cheney has a new package of incentives