Quote:British pullout

British press reports have said the first contingent of 1500 troops could leave southern Iraq and be home by April.  If that withdrawal goes well, another 1500 could leave the country by the end of the year.

One report has said a total withdrawal of British forces could be complete by 2008.

Britain's move comes as Mr Bush sends another 21,500 US soldiers to secure parts of Iraq plagued by growing levels of sectarian bloodshed and insurgency.

"President Bush sees this as a sign of success and what is possible for us once we help the Iraqis deal with the sectarian violence in Baghdad," his spokesman said.

"The President is grateful for the support of the British Forces in the past and into the future.

"While the United Kingdom is maintaining a robust force in southern Iraq, we're pleased that conditions in Basra have improved sufficiently that they are able to transition more control to the Iraqis.

Britain's 7100 troops in Iraq are mostly based around the southern city of Basra. It is the second-largest foreign contingent of soldiers after that of the United States, which has more than 140,000 troops in Iraq.

A total of 132 British troops have died since the start of the US-led invasion in March 2003, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon figures.

More than 3100 US solders have died in the conflict, and US public sentiment has turned strongly against the war.

AFP and AAP

Do you agree with the UK's recent decision to start withdrawing troops from Iraq?

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Who wants a 2nd Vietnam? That`s what`s on the cards for the Americans particularly.

They shouldn't have gone there at all! Better to leave now than never. It's George Bush's war not Great Britain's; guess they got confused by the coincidence of the initials. And it wasn't George Bush's business either, but it is now - only his!!!
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Agreed. Bush is just a puppet...but a dangerous puppet because he plays his part very well. How many more people should die before he realizes it is a stupid war? Is the oil more valuable that hundreds of lives?