Wikileaks - CCCXC
72169 7/21/2006 14:10 06BUCHAREST1168 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL 06BUCHAREST1126 VZCZCXRO7676 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBM #1168 2021410 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211410Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4851 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001168
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - SILKWORTH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IZ, RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA ANNOUNCES 21% REDUCTION OF TROOPS IN IRAQ
REF: BUCHAREST 01126
Classified By: CDA Rodger Garner for Reasons 1.4 B and D
1. (U) The Romanian Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Eugen Badalan, announced July 19 that Romania would reduce its military presence in Iraq by 21%, "as previously discussed with members of the international coalition." According to statements he made to the press, the withdrawal will begin in July and be completed by the end of August.
2. (C) Comment: This troop reduction is the implementation of measures already agreed upon with coalition partners and announced by President Traian Basescu, per MFA and MOD officials. The reduction constitutes a company who were serving under the Italian command and have completed their mission. According to MFA interlocutors, Romania currently has no plans to withdraw its deployment of troops protecting the UN Mission or serving in Iraq in other capacities. The reduction will bring Romania's total troop presence in Iraq to roughly 630. TAUBMAN
