Following the lead of Spain and Honduras, General Lieutenant Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez announced yesterday that the troops would be home in two weeks, or as soon as the logistics can be implemented to remove them from Iraq. Hoy newspaper quotes Soto Jimenez as saying that President Mejia?s wishes are the same as the army?s ? to have them home as quickly as possible. Honduras, too, is moving to hasten the return of their troops. The DR presently has 302 troops deployed in Iraq and Honduras has 369.
Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, said yesterday that the US deeply regrets the withdrawal of Dominican and Honduran troops from Iraq, according to El Caribe. McClellan said the situation has reached a crucial juncture as the coalition tries to restore democracy to Iraq and the enemies of that state try to destroy it. He said the coalition would remain strong in its determination and efforts without the Dominican and Honduran support.