ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has a different take than the White House on the British decision to cut its troop size in Iraq.

"I think it is disappointing that Great Britain has decided to pull back on its troop strength at the very time that we are increasing our troop strength...it sends an unfortunate signal to some who are watching what is happening in Iraq," Romney, in Atlanta Wednesday evening for a fundraiser, told CNN.

"Clearly we want to show the kind of resolve necessary so the people of Iraq can see stability, and that the government of al Maliki is able to establish security again such that he can get all of our troops home," the former Massachusetts governor added.

His position differs from that of the White House which has argued the U.K.'s decision to scale back its troops in Iraq's Basra region is a sign of progress.

But Romney, a supporter of the troop increase in Iraq, said "The symbolism of Great Britain going down while we are bringing troops up is hard to escape."