[lit-ideas] Re: Helm's World
- From: Robert Paul <robert.paul@xxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 00:43:15 -0700
Lawrence Helm wrote (quoting his friend in Iraq):
“Interestingly, we have many Croatian, Slovenian, and I think Macedonian
troops over here. Most of the old Warsaw Pact (or Soviet Union!) has
troops here as well: Poles[*], Ukrainians[**], Latvians, Lithuanians, Czechs,
Slovakians> Romanians, Bulgarians. I forget who else. Also Mongolians. Apparently
all these nations prefer US leadership to a world filled with terrorism.”
[I've added the asterisks in brackets to Lawrence's post and put
corresponding unbound asterisks in the Global Security text.]
From http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm
'The size and capabilities of the Coalition forces involved in
operations in Iraq has been a subject of much debate, confusion, and at
times exaggeration. As of July 1, 2005, there were 26 non-U.S. military
forces participating in the coalition and contributing to the ongoing
stability operations throughout Iraq. These countries were: Albania,
Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech
Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, Japan,
Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mongolia,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
… … …
'The Kingdom of Tonga's contingent of 40+ troops returned home on
December 17, 2004. Hungary completely pulled its troops out of Iraq by
December 22, 2004. Portugal withdrew its contingent of policemen after
having been in Iraq for 15 months in February 2005. Moldova withdrew its
contingent of 12 in February 2005. Fiji initially deployed 150 troops to
Iraq, and later an additional 90, but they are there under UN banner
(UNAMI) and are therefore not be counted in the coalition. Singapore
deployed a ship to the Persian Gulf on Nov. 27, which returned home in
March 2005 but since the country does not actually contribute troops on
the ground in Iraq, it was not included in the coalition count. Armenia
deployed 46 troops to Iraq in mid-January 2005. A new arrival to the
list is Bosnia and Herzegovina which deployed an EOD platoon to Iraq in
June 2005.
'Countries which had troops in or supported operations in Iraq at one
point but have pulled out since: Nicaragua (Feb. 2004); Spain (late-Apr.
2004); Dominican Republic (early-May 2004); Honduras (late-May 2004);
Philippines (~Jul. 19, 2004); Thailand (late-Aug. 2004); New Zealand
(late Sep. 2004); Tonga (mid-Dec. 2004) Hungary (end Dec. 2004);
Portugal (mid-Feb. 2005); Moldova (Feb. 2005);
'Countries planning to withdraw from Iraq: Poland* (starting Jan.05 and
completed by end.05(?)); Bulgaria (end of 2005, depending on
circumstances); Ukraine** (entire contingent, in stages until ~ Oct. 2005)
'Countries which have reduced or are planning to reduce their troop
commitment: Ukraine (-200 during Fall.04 rotation); Moldova (reduced
contingent to 12 around mid-2004); Norway (reduced from ~150 to 10
late-Jun.04, early Jul.04); Bulgaria (-50, Dec.04); Poland (-700,
Feb.05); Italy (-300 expected in Sept. 05(decrease apparently began in
mid-Aug. 05)); Netherlands (reduced from ~1,345 to 4; ~Mar. 2005)'
--------------
I will say, Lawrence, that your friend gets around a lot; I believe that
most of the 'non-US/UK' forces are scattered about the country. If his
editorial comment had any merit, it would seem to have less merit now,
in light of the planned withdrawal of the forces mentioned in the Global
Security summary. It's good to see the Mongols (all 160 of them) back in
Iraq. Peace.
Robert Paul
Reed College
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