Danish PM to cut troop numbers in Iraq

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen today told US President George Bush that he expects Denmark to reduce its troops in southern Iraq later this year.

Bush called Fogh Rasmussen, a staunch US ally, to brief him about plans to send thousands more US troops to Iraq.

During their 25-minute conversation, Fogh Rasmussen said he hoped Britain and Denmark could begin cutting the size of their contingents as two southern provinces are transferred to Iraqi control.

“As the Iraqis take over the responsibility we can reduce the number of British and Danish troops,” Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement.

Some 460 Danes are serving under British command near the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Six Danes have been killed in Iraq.