Tuesday, April 20, 2004


Yahoo! News - Honduras to Pull Its Troops Out of Iraq
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters) - In a blow to President Bush and his coalition partners in Iraq, Honduras followed Spain on Monday in announcing it will pull its troops out of the country.

President Ricardo Maduro, a close ally of the United States, said he had already told coalition countries that Honduras' 370 soldiers in Iraq would soon quit the country.

He said in a television and radio address the withdrawal would be carried out "in the shortest possible time and under safe conditions for our troops."

Honduras said earlier Monday it was considering the withdrawal due to spiraling violence and pressure created by Spain's decision to pull its forces out.

Spain is commanding troops in Iraq from other Spanish-speaking nations in the coalition -- Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.