July 08, 2005

Italy to Start Iraq Troop Pullout in Fall

Italy plans to begin withdrawing some of its troops from Iraq in September, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Friday.

Speaking at the end of the G-8 summit, Berlusconi said the withdrawal plans could change because they depend on security conditions on the ground and denied it was linked to any terrorist threats against Italy.
[...or that yesterday's attacks in London had scared him into it?--Jen]
[...]

Berlusconi indicated that the intention to start pulling the troops out was not the consequence of threats against Italy or himself that appeared recently on the Web, saying that he had "grown used to them, even though I do not underestimate these threats."

It doesn't bode well for anyone that Berlusconi chose today, the day after London's horror, to make this announcement.
The terrorists may be led to believe that if they could Italy to withdraw some troops by attacking London, then they could get Italy's leader to pull out all their troops with a hit on Italy.
For shame, Silvio--this looks like Spanish cowardice!