Blair faces revolt over troops

2004-10-20 14:30

London - Prime Minister Tony Blair faced a revolt by lawmakers on Wednesday over a United States request to redeploy some British troops closer to Baghdad.

Forty-five lawmakers, including 44 members of the governing Labour Party, have signed a motion insisting the House of Commons should be allowed to vote on whether the request is granted.

Many are suspicious the request is politically motivated and designed to bolster US President George W Bush before presidential elections on November 2.

"We are about to enter a period of increased activity in Iraq. This is nothing to do with the American elections," Blair told the House of Commons. "It has everything to do with the Iraqi elections in January."

9 000 troops in Iraq

"I believe we are right to be in Iraq," Blair added. "I think the stabilisation of Iraq and bringing democracy to that country is in the interests of this country."

American military commanders asked Britain on October 10 to reposition a small number of soldiers, now stationed in southern Iraq, to the US-controlled sector farther north, to free up American soldiers to step up their assault on insurgents.

The government has not said how many troops might be redeployed, or to where. But military sources have said that if the request was granted, Britain's reserve regiment, the 650-strong First Battalion Black Watch, which is stationed near the southern port city of Basra, would be the obvious choice.

Britain has about 9 000 troops in Iraq, operating in the relatively peaceful area around Basra. Sending British soldiers into the US-controlled sector, where there are more attacks by insurgents, carries a risk of higher casualties and would be politically sensitive for Blair.

Military request

The deeply unpopular war in Iraq has damaged Blair's credibility and trust ratings and many lawmakers are suspicious the timing of the request is linked to US presidential elections. Government ministers insist however that it was a military, not a political request.

The senior UK officer in Iraq on Wednesday agreed.

"The request is in response to the situation on the ground. There's been a spike in insurgent activity as a result of the Ramadan period," General John McColl told British Broadcasting Corporation radio.

"The military commanders have made a request to deploy forces to meet that situation and from a theater perspective, it is reasonable and sensible to meet that request."

- AP