Dominican solidarity with the US Bush administration vanished yesterday, when President Mejia announced he would join Honduras and Spain by pulling the DR?s troops out of the Iraqi conflict, as headlined in all of today?s newspapers. Citing the fact that the Spanish retreat signifies a more exposed role for the Dominican troops, Mejia instructed Armed Forced Minister Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez to withdraw the forces ?as soon as possible.? It was learned, according to Hoy newspaper, that Mejia had informed coalition authorities of his decision through diplomatic channels and his foreign office. According to statements made by General Soto Jimenez, the President arrived at this decision in the understanding that the circumstances in Iraq had changed. These news conditions ?no longer corresponded to the work originally assigned? to the Dominican troops, who were now being faced ?with the Shiite insurrection which had changed the rules of engagement.? Soto Jimenez reminded reporters that the DR?s Quisqueya Task Force II was under the operational leadership of the Plus Ultra Brigade from Spain. New Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has ordered the Spanish troops return home. Soto Jimenez spoke to the press after Mejia reported on his phone conversation with Honduran President Ricardo Maduro. Last Sunday, Mejia had told the new Spanish leader that the Dominican contingent would fulfill their obligations until the end of July. The announcement by the Dominican government comes after the first Spanish troops began to return to Spain.