>I like your ideas Jim. However, I think the Iraqis are paying the price because other countries are refusing to participate in providing security in Iraq (in any substantial way) because of the war itself and how it started.

Good morning Tracy;

I seem to recall a speech from several federal administration heads about how we did in fact have help from the International Community to help with the invasion of Iraq. This was referred to as “the coalition of the willing”, and included 49 nations.

A far as military support the United States and the UK have supplied 98% of the troops in the field.

If we would pull out of Iraq it would be up to the remaining members of “the coalition of the willing” to finish the job! I am not serious about that comment! :)

In order of number of troops (Estimated) committed to Iraq as of March 2005:

Current members
1. USA150,000 troops.
2. UK 8,500 -- had 45000 troops in and around Iraq at the time of invasion, expected to withdraw 3,000 more troops
3. South Korea 3,250 --Announced plans to withdraw 1,000 troops early 2006
4. Italy 3,030 -- Began phased withdrawal of troops in March 2005
5. Poland 1,500 -- Began to withdraw troops in October 2004
6. Ukraine 950 -- Announced to withdraw troops by October 2005
7. Gerogia 889
8. Romania 860
9. Australia 850 -- Had 2000 troops in and around Iraq at the time of invasion
10. Japan 550 -- Limited to non-combat zones only1
11. Denmark 540
12. Bulgaria 450 -- Began phased withdrawal of troops in March 2005
13. El Salvador 380
14. Mongolia 180
15. Azeraijan 151
16. Latia 136
17. Albania 120
18. Lithuania 118
19. Slovakia 105
20. Czech Republic 80
21. Bosnia and Herzegovina 36
22. Estonia 35
23. Macedonia 33
24. Kazakhstan 27
25. Norway 10 -- Sent about 150 troops to Iraq, and later withdrew all but ten officers. The new Red/Red-Green Coalition-Government promises that it will withdraw the remaining ten officers soon.

Members with no military involvement
Several countries chose not to, or could not, sustain a military involvement with regards to personnel, but nonetheless pledged their solidarity with the Coalition. Additionally, some of these countries allowed coalition forces to use their territory as launching points for offensives.
1. Angola 0
2. Colombia 0
3. Eritrea 0
4. Ethiopia 0
5. Kuwait 0
6. Micronesia 0
7. Rwanda0
8. Solomon Islands 0
9. Uganda 0
10. Uzbekistan 0

Members which have withdrawn
1. Iceland 0 -- Mainly specialists and such.
2. Nicaragua 0 -- Withdrew 115 troops in February 2004
3. Dominican Republic 0 -- Withdrew 302 troops in May 2004
4. Honduras 0 -- Withdrew 370 troops in June 2004
5. Spain 0 -- Withdrew 1400 troops in June 2004
6. Philippines 0 -- Withdrew 51 troops in July 2004
7. Thailand 0 -- Withdrew 443 troops in August 2004
8. Hungary 0 -- Withdrew 300-troop NATO training force in December 2004
9. Tonga 100 -- Withdrew 40 troops in December 2004
10. Moldova 0 -- Withdrew 12 troops in February 2005
11. Portugal 0 -- Withdrew 128 policemen in February 2005
12. Netherlands 4 -- Withdrew 1350 troops in March 2005, later reduced troop level by nearly 800
13. Singapore 0 -- Withdrew its single Amphibious transport deployed in the Persian Gulf in March 2005.

This represents about 20% of the nations of the world in support of the war with Iraq or who were in support at one time.

Tom