Iraq coalition is not crumbling, says White House

1.00pm

WASHINGTON - The White House insists the US-led coalition in Iraq remains strong despite comments from staunch ally Poland that it may join three other nations in withdrawing troops.

On a day when at least 68 people died in suicide car bombings in southern Iraq, President George W. Bush faced questions on Capitol Hill about whether enough money was being allocated to fund US military operations there this year.

"Be honest with the Congress, be honest with the American people. Every ground squirrel in this country knows that it's going to be US$50 billion ($80.06 billion) to US$75 billion in additional money required to sustain us in Iraq for this year," Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel told NBC's Today show.

The White House did not rule out seeking additional funding this year after obtaining US$87 billion last year. "I think it totally depends on the circumstances on the ground," said spokesman Scott McClellan.

Spain's decision a week ago to withdraw its 1400 troops has triggered second thoughts among the original 34-nation coalition in Iraq. Honduras and the Dominican Republic have said they also are withdrawing troops.

Thailand said on Tuesday it will withdraw its 451 medical and engineering troops from Iraq if they are attacked.

And on Wednesday, Poland said it was reviewing its position in Iraq but would not pull troops out suddenly or without Washington's approval. Poland has been a key US ally in Iraq.

McClellan said there has been support from nations like Britain, Poland, Japan, Italy, Portugal and others.

"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," he said.

But California Representative Nancy Pelosi, head of the Democratic minority in the US House of Representatives, said, "It remains imperative that we build a meaningful, multinational coalition."

"We cannot afford what we have now -- a coalition of the shrinking," she said.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's staunchest ally in the US-led invasion and occupation, insists British troops will remain but said on Wednesday he does not plan to increase the number from the 7500 now there.

Australia, another original member of the US-led coalition, also said it would not send more troops to help fill the void left by the withdrawals. Only about 350 of Australia's 2000 troops are left in Iraq.

Japan has said it would not withdraw its troops despite deteriorating security in Iraq as a whole and two separate incidents of Japanese civilians being taken hostage.

The United States has 135,000 troops in Iraq backed with smaller forces from other countries, of which Britain is the largest number.

The White House says the coalition is a show of international support, but it was put together when the UN Security Council refused to back the war and critics note most of the major world powers have little or no involvement.

The United States and Britain are working on the details of a new UN resolution for Iraq that Bush said last week could "help other nations to decide to participate."

Bush gave a new statement of resolve.

"The Iraqi people are looking at America and saying are we going to cut and run again? That's what they're thinking as well. And we're not going to cut and run if I'm in the Oval Office. We will do our job," he told newspaper editors.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq