"Military chiefs had been pushing for much bigger cuts in the number of British troops in Iraq than those announced yesterday by Tony Blair, defence officials made clear last night.
"For months, army commanders have suggested that their presence on the streets of Basra was doing more harm than good, that it was time to lower expectations and let Iraqi forces take charge of security. They were forced to agree to a more gradual reduction partly in deference to US sensitivities. They also recognised the importance of "managing risk", a senior defence source said."
State of the coalition (by the end of 2007)
Albania 120 non-combat troops, mainly patrolling airport in Mosul; no plans to withdraw
Armenia 46 (0) soldiers, serving as medics, engineers and drivers under Polish command; staying to end of 2007
Australia Around 550 troops training security forces in southern Iraq
Azerbaijan 150 troops; no plans to withdraw
Bosnia-Herzegovina 36 soldiers
Bulgaria 155 in total 120 non-combat troops guarding refugee camp near Baghdad, 35 support personnel
Czech Republic 99 troops
Denmark 460 (0) troops patrolling Basra; to be withdrawn by August
El Salvador 380 soldiers in Hillah; no immediate plans to withdraw
Estonia 35 troops under US command in the Baghdad area
Georgia 900 combat, medical and support personnel under US command in Baqouba; no plans to withdraw or reduce contingent
Kazakhstan 27 military engineers; no plans to withdraw
Latvia 125 troops under Polish command in Diwaniya
Lithuania 60 troops, part of a Danish battalion near Basra
Macedonia 40 troops in Taji
Moldova 11 (0) bomb-defusing experts returned home at end of January
Mongolia 160 troops; no plans to withdraw
Netherlands 15 soldiers as part of Nato mission training police, army officers; no plans to withdraw
Poland 900 (0) non-combat troops; commands multinational force; mission extended to end of 2007
Romania about 600 (0?) troops, most serving under UK command; prime minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu wants them withdrawn
Slovenia 4 instructors training Iraqi security forces
South Korea 2,300 (0-1,200) troops in Irbil; plans to bring home 1,100; parliament insists on complete withdrawal by end of 2007
UK 7,100 (5,000) in and Basra.
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