Britain will reduce its number of troops in Iraq again - Down to 4000 in May

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http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2007/February/theworld_February536.xml§ion=theworld

LONDON - Britain will reduce its contingent of just over 7,000 troops in Iraq by almost half in May as it hands the main province of Basra over to Iraqi army and security forces, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

A spokesman at the Ministry of Defence said the News of the World report was “speculation,” adding that any troop withdrawal will depend on security conditions and consultations with Britain’s allies.

The newspaper said around 3,000 British troops will be withdrawn in May, even though a withdrawal had not been expected until November. It speculated that tough regional elections in May had influenced the decision.

A senior government source quoted by the newspaper said: “The situation in Basra has reached a stage where troop withdrawals are now possible.

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1. The Coalition of the Ain't-so-Willing?

Aznar, Berlusconi, soon-to-be Blair and Howard perhaps? Being a Coalition of the Willing member is bad for your political health.