America's 'dwindling coalition'
By Nick Childs
BBC World Affairs correspondent

The Bulgarian parliament has endorsed the decision to pull the country's 450 troops out of Iraq by the end of the year.

Japan is reported to be planning to do the same thing.

The Ukrainians, among others, have been withdrawing. Poland is cutting its commitment.

After some very acrimonious departures in the past - like that of the Philippines - it is difficult to escape the impression that Washington's band of coalition partners in Iraq is dwindling.

Of course, US officials would prefer it was not happening, with the security situation still very uncertain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4523857.stm