BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts And Nevis - Following the example of Spain and Honduras, the twin-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has announced that it is withdrawing its lone soldier from service in Iraq. Henry Birch, a police officer normally walking the beat in Nevis, was asked in January to accept reassignment to Iraq "as a sign of solidarity with the United States," said Prime Minister Denzil L. Douglas, "But it has become increasingly apparent that Henry is not having the impact we had hoped for."

"We'll be most grateful to have him back," said Leena Brooks, Nevis resident and tour boat operator, "Without him, the rest of the police force was stretched rather thin." With Birch serving in Iraq, Nevis' 36 square miles of territory is being policed by only nine officers.

Birch's fellow soldiers hold him in high regard. "Henry's the kind of guy that lets it all ride," said one private that preferred not to have his name used, "Nothing sets him off, he's just always cool. I'll miss him." Another, PFC Anton Milette, said of Birch, "He's as laid back as they come."

President Bush expressed regret, and what some are calling a veiled threat, over the tiny nation's decision: "It is troubling that St. Kitts and Nevis has chosen not to assist the two-hundred or so other nations that are bearing the burden of nation-building in Iraq. But the point of this conflict is to bring freedom to the Iraqi people. It is troubling, but it is also comforting to know that a tiny nation so dependant on the United States for tourism has the freedom to risk its livelihood for what it believes in. I find that very comforting."
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