Those who were hoping that Sir Richard Dannatt's comments would make British soldiers leave Iraq will be disappointed. Blair has said that British soldiers will be STAYING in Iraq. You didn't think the British Army will be leaving that easily, do you?
Meanwhile, a report has been saying that American soldiers may withdraw from Iraq. Oh well, us Brits will just be there alone.
Times Online
October 18, 2006
Blair says British troops will remain in Iraq
By Elsa McLaren
It's gonna take a lot for Iraqi insurgents to beat the British: Blair has ignored all critics against the war in Iraq and has said that British soldiers WILL be staying in Iraq
Heroes: British soldiers in Iraq
Tony Blair said today that Britain will keep its troops in Iraq as long as necessary because pulling out too soon would be "disastrous” for the war-torn country.
The Prime Minister defended the continued presence of British forces in Iraq under heavy pressure from opposition parties, and insisted that only the “progressive” withdrawal of British forces, as the Iraqi Government took over security control, would work.
Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, told the House of Commons that it was clear the Government’s strategy had failed and the choice was stark - to change strategy or get out.
Mr Blair has faced increasing pressure over the continued presence of British troops in Iraq following comments by the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, who said last week that British troops "exacerbated" violence in the war-torn country.
A report by James Baker, the former US Secretary of State, and his Iraq Study Group is expected to recommend significant changes to American strategy, including negotiating with Iran and Syria or even withdrawing US troops.
Mr Blair told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions: “If we desert the Iraqi Government now, at the very time when they are building up the forces, so that the Iraqi forces can take over security, [it] would be a gross dereliction of our duty to them.
“The strategy is very clear - progressively to withdraw as the Iraqi capability is there and do not desert the democrats, support them.
“For example, now down in the south of Iraq, for the first time, we have 10,000 Iraqi troops trained to the fullest extent ... doing an excellent job. Yes, of course, as we are able to cede control, we do so. But to withdraw prematurely before the job is done would be disastrous."
David Cameron, leader of the Conservatives, demanded the British public be told the truth about the situation facing coalition troops in Iraq.
He said: “We have never backed some premature timetable for withdrawal. But we want you to give frank and candid answers about the situation in Iraq. The problem is we’ve got a situation where the picture on the ground is difficult and unstable but the message being given to the British people is quite different."
Responding to calls for a change of strategy, Mr Blair said: “There is some sense, because of the discussions over the last few days, as if we have been sitting here in Government saying, 'There is no way we are going to withdraw. We’re going to stay there forever.' That has never been our case.
“It’s important we send out the signal to these people who are trying to wreck the chances of Iraqi democracy by killing innocent people - the self-same extremism that threatens our troops.
"The message that should go out from us and from this country is not just one of enormous pride in our troops but also that the policy of standing up and fighting these extremists, abroad and at home, is the right one and there will be no quarter given to those who oppose us.”
thetimesonline.co.uk
Meanwhile, a report has been saying that American soldiers may withdraw from Iraq. Oh well, us Brits will just be there alone.
Times Online
October 18, 2006
Blair says British troops will remain in Iraq
By Elsa McLaren
It's gonna take a lot for Iraqi insurgents to beat the British: Blair has ignored all critics against the war in Iraq and has said that British soldiers WILL be staying in Iraq
Heroes: British soldiers in Iraq
The Prime Minister defended the continued presence of British forces in Iraq under heavy pressure from opposition parties, and insisted that only the “progressive” withdrawal of British forces, as the Iraqi Government took over security control, would work.
Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, told the House of Commons that it was clear the Government’s strategy had failed and the choice was stark - to change strategy or get out.
Mr Blair has faced increasing pressure over the continued presence of British troops in Iraq following comments by the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, who said last week that British troops "exacerbated" violence in the war-torn country.
A report by James Baker, the former US Secretary of State, and his Iraq Study Group is expected to recommend significant changes to American strategy, including negotiating with Iran and Syria or even withdrawing US troops.
Mr Blair told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions: “If we desert the Iraqi Government now, at the very time when they are building up the forces, so that the Iraqi forces can take over security, [it] would be a gross dereliction of our duty to them.
“The strategy is very clear - progressively to withdraw as the Iraqi capability is there and do not desert the democrats, support them.
“For example, now down in the south of Iraq, for the first time, we have 10,000 Iraqi troops trained to the fullest extent ... doing an excellent job. Yes, of course, as we are able to cede control, we do so. But to withdraw prematurely before the job is done would be disastrous."
David Cameron, leader of the Conservatives, demanded the British public be told the truth about the situation facing coalition troops in Iraq.
He said: “We have never backed some premature timetable for withdrawal. But we want you to give frank and candid answers about the situation in Iraq. The problem is we’ve got a situation where the picture on the ground is difficult and unstable but the message being given to the British people is quite different."
Responding to calls for a change of strategy, Mr Blair said: “There is some sense, because of the discussions over the last few days, as if we have been sitting here in Government saying, 'There is no way we are going to withdraw. We’re going to stay there forever.' That has never been our case.
“It’s important we send out the signal to these people who are trying to wreck the chances of Iraqi democracy by killing innocent people - the self-same extremism that threatens our troops.
"The message that should go out from us and from this country is not just one of enormous pride in our troops but also that the policy of standing up and fighting these extremists, abroad and at home, is the right one and there will be no quarter given to those who oppose us.”
thetimesonline.co.uk
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