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Romanians Want Soldiers Withdrawn From Iraq
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Romanians believe their country's participation in the Iraq war must come to an end, according to a poll by the Centre for Urban and Regional Sociology. 55 per cent of respondents believe Romania should not have a military presence in Iraq.
In March 2003, the Romanian government committed 730 troops to the United States-led coalition effort. President Ion Iliescu and prime minister Adrian Nastase of the Social Democratic Party (PDS) openly supported military action against Saddam Hussein's regime.
In last year's presidential and parliamentary elections, the Justice and Truth (DA) alliance—encompassing the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Party (PD)—emerged victorious. Traian Basescu became Romania's new head of state, and Calin Popescu Tariceanu substituted Nastase as prime minister.
In February, Basescu ruled out a troop withdrawal "until the new Iraqi institutions are able to efficiently rule the country and to assure a peaceful climate in order to begin a sound reconstruction process"
Earlier this month, defence minister Teodor Atanasiu said the contingent would remain in Iraq until local officials are ready to take over the tasks currently performed by Romanian soldiers.
Polling Data
Do you agree or disagree with Romania having a military presence in Iraq?
Agree | 36% |
Disagree | 55% |
Not sure | 9% |
Source: Centre for Urban and Regional Sociology (CURS)
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,100 Romanian adults, conducted from Mar. 21 to Mar. 26, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.