ROMANIA ANNOUNCES 21% REDUCTION OF TROOPS IN IRAQ

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