The British Foreign Secretary has given a roadmap for the eventual pullout of British troops from Iraq. This involves the handover of the remaining provinces under British control to Iraqi responsibility.
British forces would initially withdraw completely from patrolling leaving the Iraqis with day-to-day responsibility for security.
The very significant new factor in today’s annoucement that the second city of Basra is likely to be handed over in Spring next year.
Bob Marshall-Andrews, the Labour MP who has a long track record of opposition to the war has claimed in an interview on BBC News 24 claims this is a political withdrawal to enable Blair’s retirement in a more honorable fashion. While in favor of withdrawal, his criticism is that this is being presented as a result of military success. It does however give an idea of how the US could withdraw with a facade of victory.
This is the BBC report of the annoucement in the Commons today.
The UK has “confidence” it may be able to hand over Basra security to Iraqi forces “at some point next spring”, the UK’s Foreign Secretary has said.
Margaret Beckett told MPs Iraq’s fate was “hanging in the balance” and said it was necessary “to hold our nerve”.
Mrs Beckett added that there was no question of “cutting and running”.
“The progress of our current operation in Basra gives us confidence we may be able to achieve transition in that province… at some point next spring.”
She said UK forces were making “progress” and warned that to leave too early would make the bloodshed “even worse”.
The Basra withdrawal from security operations is similar to those that have already happened in smaller provinces. The next will be the important Shia province of Najaf.
It is essential to remember this is a withdrawal to large bases to provide “oversight” rather than a full evacuation. It should also be viewed in the light of the demand for significant forces increases needed in southern Afghanistan.
Important info. Thanks for sharing.
what’s the current thinking on when Blair will step down?
He will resign one week after he attends a formal handover cermony in the Basra air base and will hand over to his successor one week before he is charged under the Honours Act 1925. /snark
We are already in Bliar’s “Farewell Tour” (he has appeared on the children’s TV show Blue Peter that is part of it) and in Gordon Brown’s “I Am A PM” tour. That really started with his “green” pre-budget statement and the issue of the receent Sterne Report. It was obvious his “visit to the troops” in Iraq was intended to show him as a leader as his role as Chancellor of the Exchequer hardly involves such trips.
My best bet is that Bliar will resign in the first quarter of next year.
it will mean less dead for them and allow Iraqis to decide the future of Iraq. Some may think it may mean more bloodshed but the Iraqi commander in the area said that if coalition forces left 80% of attacks would stop.
I also hope that the Brits dont leave men in some long term barracks in some out of the way place. Total withdrawal is what is needed not some semi hidden imperialist force of western masters.