ABC: U.N. says Iraq deadlier, Italians pull out

[Iceburg]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2471656
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Italian forces ended their mission in Iraq on Thursday, handing over the southern province they patrol to Iraqis, while the United Nations said the country has become deadlier than ever.

The force of 1,600 Italians will all be home within eight weeks, having turned over their base to Iraqis, British military spokesman Major Charlie Burbridge said. The Italians have been under British command in Iraq's mainly Shi'ite southern sector.

...
Britain has also pulled out of its main base in a third province, Maysan, leaving British troops in the south largely confined to Basra, Iraq's second largest city.

In both Maysan and Muthanna, the bases that were evacuated by the withdrawing foreign troops were promised for Iraqi forces, but were ransacked by looters within hours of the foreigners leaving.

The withdrawal of the Italians means the two allies that invaded Iraq in 2003, the United States and Britain, are now the only big, rich countries with large forces left in Iraq.

...

[KyndCulture]

1. Il dio di maggio li benedice tutti

May God bless us all!

[magellan]

2. US & UK the only big, rich, DUMB countries with large forces left in Iraq

I don't like to think about what nightmare scenario would finally convince BushCo to get our troops out of there. But it sure is looking worse and worse, and it seems pure folly to leave them there.

[Drum]

6. Musical chairs with guns.

And Bush still thinks that there's a prize involved. I don't think there'll be prizes awarded for America getting the last seat....

[Chipper Chat]

3. Don't forget Pulau

[saigon68]

4. And 30,000 Blackwater Mercenaries at $2000.00 a day

Its time for MORE Rose Petal Parades

[LynnTheDem]

5. And FINALLY the US "media" admits ONLY US & UK INVADED IRAQ.

Wonder how long it'll take the rightwingnuts to realize the FACTS that most the rest of the world has always known; the FACT that the majority of the entire world said HELL NO to bush's invasion. The FACT that only the US & UK actually invaded Iraq.

And then there's the FACT that even the nations who later sent troops into Iraq had majority populations that OPPOSED their governments sending troops to Iraq.

Poor rightwingnuts. Some day they will have to accept the FACT we were correct. About everything. Hope it kills em.

[ECH1969]

7. Italy Ends Military Role in Iraq, Says `Mission Accomplished'

Italy today handed military control of the southern province of Dhi Qar to Iraqi police and military forces during a ceremony in Nassiryah, continuing a withdrawal promised by Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

``We've met our objective, and the mission is accomplished,'' Italian Defense Minister Arturo Parisi said today in a televised speech made during the ceremony. ``We're pulling out our military contingent, but it doesn't mean we're turning our backs on Iraq.''

Parisi said Italy's civilian mission would continue. Italy lost 39 military police and soldiers during its three-year mission, including Corporal Massimo Vitaliano, 25, killed today in a road accident. Yesterday, Corporal Giuseppe Orlando, 28, was killed in Afghanistan when his armored vehicle flipped in a curve during a regular patrol, the defense ministry said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aE1zrCIp1SHg&refer=europe

[gratuitous]

8. Pulling out the military but still committed to Iraq?

What a funny concept; don't the Italians know that the only way to effect any real, lasting change in the world is at the point of a gun or under the tender ministrations of indiscriminate bombing? I suppose now they'll want to be all friends and everything with Iraq and try to establish a new social order and work through a new political system to bring about a change from a repressive dictator to a more open society? As if!

Looks like George is going to have to expand that Axis of Evil by another one.

[mom cat]

9. LOL! ... Mission Accomplished!

:rofl:

[Supersedeas]

10. Dimson's mighty coalition is being looted--a competent diplomatic team???

Nothing to see here -- let's watch Condi play piano and workout.