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News August 20031,300 Spanish troops arriving in Iraq to support intervention force.11 August This week 915 Spanish troops will join the 490 already in Iraq (of whom, about 100 will return home). They, together with about 1,200 Central American troops under Spanish command/ coordination, will replace US troops from 1st September. Once again, the Spanish forces are getting involved in an international peace-keeping type mission. Since 1983, when Spain joined NATO, the Spanish forces have been ever more involved on the international scene. Previously, the military in Spain were a largely inward-looking force aimed at maintaining the Franco dictatorship. After a difficult time of transition, the new Spanish forces appear to play their part well in non-war situations. Source: El Mundo |