US seeks Honduras's clarification

Published April 20, 2004

WASHINGTON, April 19: The United States is awaiting "clarification" from Honduras after it was apparently "affected" by Spain's decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq, a State Department spokesman said.

"Maybe some others will decide to do this. Honduras was cited as affected by the decisions of Spain," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, one day after Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced he will withdraw Madrid's 1,400 troops in Iraq.

"I think there have been a number of statements by Honduras in the last few days. We'll look for clarification today," Mr Boucher said. Honduran Foreign Minister Leonidas Rosa said on Monday his government was conducting an "urgent evaluation" of the presence of its 368 troops in Iraq that are part of the Plus Ultra Brigade headed by Spain. Mr Boucher said he was "not aware of any change" among the other Latin American troops, "but I'd have to check". -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

WHILE launching the Economic Survey 2026, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told a hopeful story of economic...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...