UK hints at Iraq drawdown
2008-09-22 21:15
Manchester - Britain has reached
a turning point in Iraq, the defence secretary said on Monday,
hinting that the remaining 4 000 British troops based there
could be withdrawn soon.
"The Iraqi armed forces, supported by British and US
forces, have taken on and defeated the militia in Basra," Des
Browne told the Labour Party's annual conference.
"We have reached a turning point in our involvement," he
said, echoing Prime Minister Gordon Brown's statement in July
that there would be a "fundamental change of mission" early next
year, a phrase understood to mean a withdrawal of troops.
Browne described a "transformation in the quality of life"
for Iraqis living in the south, saying cafes and restaurants had
re-opened, women were able to walk the streets unveiled and
investors were set to buy into the oil, gas and steel sectors.
"By any standard, this is a hugely important milestone," he
said.
Redeployment
Britain has about 12 000 troops deployed in Iraq and
Afghanistan, a relatively high number for an army of less than
100 000.
Military commanders are hoping that as troops are
withdrawn from Iraq, numbers will be boosted in Afghanistan,
where the 8 000-strong force is over-stretched.
Browne made no mention of troop redeployments. But
immediately after detailing the successes he saw in Iraq, he
laid out the huge challenges that remain in Afghanistan, saying
Britain was there for the "longer haul".
"I have always been clear that while progress has been made,
we still have a long uphill task," he said of Afghanistan.
"It is difficult and dangerous and it will take us years to
achieve. The challenge of nation-building in Afghanistan is a
long-term commitment and the terrorists will continue to try and
prevent progress."
More tgroops
Browne hinted that more troops could ultimately be deployed.
"Sometimes it is simply not possible to avoid military
intervention," he said.
"Sometimes the defence of our national
interest or the defence of the helpless demands it."
"We should not sign up to the responsibility to protect
without signing up to the means to deliver that protection."