Italy hastens troop reduction in Iraq-source (A month ahead of schedule)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1332415.htm

ROME, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Italy, a month ahead of schedule, has started reducing its presence in Iraq by drawing down the first 130 forces in a planned 300-troop withdrawal, a Rome-based military source said on Saturday.

The source, who declined to be named, said the decision to bring forward the September start date of the partial troop reduction was logistical and financial -- and not political.

The 130 Marines had finished their roughly 4-month tour-of-duty earlier in August, and the military opted against a costly process of replacing them for a brief one-month stint.

"It was decided not to replace them just for one month, since the reduction of around 300 men was planned starting in September," the source said.

[R Hickey]

1. "logistical and finacial -- not political."

They're not pissed about our shooting Italian reporters and top agents. So don't worry about that.

[BamaBecky]

2. What do they know that we don't know?...n/t

[NNN0LHI]

3. They do appear to be scurrying toward the exits for some reason n/t

[intheozone]

4. Maybe they want out before we attack Iran.

Italy probably does not want any part in a war with Iran, no other country except maybe GB is going to want to join us in starting WWIII. Italy probably knows that Cheney (the real president) has already decided that the war needs to start by the end of Sept. and they want to get the hell out before then. I'm just guessing, but I really worry that this is the case. :scared:

Damn it all to fucking hell, how do we stop this march to war with Iran, which will likely include the use of :nuke:, how do we prevent WWIII????