Armed Forces Minister Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez said that the Dominican soldiers stationed in Iraq will return in July, following the completion of their commitment. The Dominican Republic has sent two contingents, the second of which has 302 men currently stationed in Diwaniya as part of the Plus Ultra brigade, called the Quisqueya Task Force II, under the Spanish forces. The government of Spain, now under the head of state Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, announced the return of the 1,400 Spanish soldiers in Iraq. Rodriguez Zapatero?s decision comes following the 11 March terrorist attack in Madrid. Soto Jimenez said that the return of the Dominican troops has nothing to do with the pronouncement of the new Spanish statesman. He reaffirmed the commitment with the US government was until 30 June.
El Caribe reports that Rodriguez Zapatero called Mejia by telephone. Journalists overhearing the conversation reported that Mejia told the Spanish head of state: “As soon as I fulfill my commitment, I will do the same, in July.” He explained to Rodriguez Zapatero that this was not an electoral campaign promise, but rather a commitment taken on with the US.