Yet how can allied forces remain on Iraqi soil without being forced to take sides in a confused and unpredictable conflict?

Early next week, they are scheduled to attend the first opposition meeting on Iraqi soil in more than a decade.

Kurdish officials said the brigade has asked them to allow 5,000 troops onto Iraqi soil.

"The liberation of Iraqi soil begins today," the statement said.

The Germans have ruled out any military mission, training or otherwise, on Iraqi soil, however.

British officials believed the body was being held until American troops left Iraqi soil.

Five months later, they ground their boots into Iraqi soil.

There are still 160,000 foreign troops on Iraqi soil, and American officials continue to hold sway.

But anyone who thinks they can simply be installed by America and take root in Iraqi soil is out of his mind.

Once he was back on Iraqi soil he would prepare a full, written report.