A look at nations committing troops to Iraq
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sept. 19 ? Some of the nations with which the United States has discussed contributing forces to peacekeeping operations in Iraq. There are currently more than 20,000 troops or security forces in Iraq from 26 nations, most of them organized under two peacekeeping contingents: under the British in the south and under the Poles in central Iraq.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE DISCUSSED SENDING TROOPS:
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? Turkey: Considering U.S. request for 10,000 to 20,000 peacekeeping troops, Turkish officials say.
? South Korea: Washington has suggested that Seoul send 9,500 troops, South Korea officials say.
? Pakistan: Debating a U.S.-British request for a division of 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers, officials in Islamabad say.
? India: Indian officials have said Washington has sought an unspecified number of Indian troops. Defense Ministry officials indicated that sending troops is unlikely because of a surge in violence by Islamic militants in Kashmir.
? Russia: Defense minister has said sending troops isn't yet on the agenda, but he didn't rule it out.
? Brazil: Has turned down U.S. request for peacekeepers; officials in Brasilia declined to say how many troops Washington had sought.
? Japan: Bush telephoned Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday to personally lobby for Tokyo's support in reconstructing Iraq and Afghanistan. Koizumi pledged that Tokyo would continue its support, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. It did not elaborate on whether specific requests or offers for help were made.
COUNTRIES WITH PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN IRAQ:
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Britain: 7,400; 1,200 more planned.
Italy: 3,000
Poland: 2,400
Ukraine: 1,640
Spain: 1,300
Netherlands: 1,106
Romania: 600
Bulgaria: 480
Denmark: 406; 90 more planned for October.
Thailand: 400
El Salvador: 360
Honduras: 360
Czech Republic: 312
Dominican Republic: 300
Hungary: 290
Philippines: 177
Mongolia: 174
Norway: 156
Nicaragua: 120
Portugal: 120
Latvia: 106
Lithuania: 90; may send 50 more.
Slovakia: 82
Albania: 70
New Zealand: 61
Kazakhstan: 27.