Coalition scattering?

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With Spain's decision to withdraw its troops, it looks like a domino affect ... but not the one you think. Spain was placed in charge of Spanish speaking troops - including those from the Dominican Republic, Hondouras, El Salvador and Nicaragua (Dominican Republic, Honduras Withdrawing Iraq Troops, Reuters, 4/20/04 - UTJ permalink). It looks like one of the primary concerns is that with Spain gone, these others forces are exposed, and unprepared for combat.

It should be kept in mind that these troops entered the "coalition" as peacekeeping forces - not combat forces. Further, the Dominicans have largely been playing a US troop support role. Even Paul Wolfowitz admits this is combat not peacekeeping:

The fact is this is not peacekeeping, it's still combat," Wolfowitz said. "And until it becomes peacekeeping, a lot of countries are probably going to stay on the sidelines," he told a congressional hearing in Washington

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There is a rumor (I can't confirm so if anyone comes across a reliable source please pass it on) that the Dominican troops have not been paid in several months. If so, it would be because the US has not paid them - U.S. Enlists More Countries in Iraq, at Taxpayers' Expense (LA Times, 6/23/03). According to the LA Times article, "troops" (mostly doctors) from Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic are being paid by the US. The Poles are also paid by the US though the richer Europena nations are footing their own bill. The estimated cost as of the LA Times article was $250 million for one year of service; however, an IPS 7/30/03 report says that Poland alone was to be paid $240 million for their troops.

Most of the multinational coalition were in Iraq under conditions of peace and reconstruction, that situation no longer pertains. This is particularly true for the Spanish speaking troops that were under Spain and appear to be primarily medical troops. So as snide remarks about these forces star flying, it is important to know the truth.

Posted by rowan at April 23, 2004 10:05 PM | TrackBack | Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |