Members of U.S. coalition reaffirm support

Members of the U.S.-led Iraq coalition said yesterday that the decision of three countries to withdraw their troops from Iraq does not set a trend, while others said they were rethinking their position.

Spain, which was the first coalition member to announce a pullout, sent its top diplomat to Washington to ease tensions resulting from the decision and assure the administration that Madrid wants a strong relationship.

The White House pointed to the continuing support of countries such as Britain, Japan, Italy and Portugal as proof that the coalition is in no danger of collapse.

“We appreciate the strong statements of support for the Iraqi people, helping the Iraqi people move forward on a free and peaceful future. The coalition remains strong, and their resolve is firm,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

Several coalition members stood up for the Unites States, saying the expected departure of forces from Spain, Honduras and the Dominican Republic is by no means the beginning of a trend.

In Tokyo, Japan’s chief Cabinet secretary, Yasuo Fukuda, told reporters: “Some nations have announced their reviews of their military deployments, but other nations have clearly stated their continued presence in Iraq.”

“I think it’s not right to judge the overall trend just by looking at moves by some countries,” Mr. Fukuda said.

He added that Japan’s 550 troops, who are providing clean water and medical assistance, fixing schools and carrying out humanitarian work, would remain in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa.

“Japan’s Self-Defense Force troops are doing their utmost to help the Iraqi people. If Japan halted its humanitarian work, what would happen to them? You should think about that,” he said.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Italian troops would stay in Iraq after the planned June 30 transfer of power to a new Iraqi government.

“We have to stay after June 30. If not, the situation could turn into something like we saw in Kosovo,” he said after talks with President Vladimir Putin in Russia. “I think that it is necessary to stay.”

But Poland’s outgoing prime minister, Leszek Miller, signaled that one of Washington’s staunchest allies might be affected by the Spanish decision.

“The problem exists. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Spain and others are leaving Iraq. I cannot say when we will leave, but I’m sure the new prime minister will say something more precise,” Mr. Miller said.

“We will not make any rash gestures. A final decision about the pullout date will be agreed and well thought over,” he added.

But later, spokesman Marcin Kaszuba told the Associated Press that “Poland will be in Iraq as long as it is necessary, until the situation there is stabilized.”

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