‘No plans’ to send more troops to Iraq
Britain has no plans to send any more troops to Iraq, the foreign secretary has confirmed after the US announced it would be sending another 20,000 to the region.
Margaret Beckett welcomed president George Bush’s announcement as proof that the US and the Iraqi government were “determined to try to come to grips with what is unquestionably a difficult situation, particularly in Baghdad”.
But she insisted that the situation in the Iraqi capital, where the US operations are based, and in the southern city of Basra, where the majority of the 7,200 British forces are based, was very different and demanded a different approach.
“It is not our intention at the present time to send more troops. Indeed we are hoping to continue to make progress in dealing with the position in Basra and giving more responsibility to Iraqi elements, to the Iraqi forces and so on there,” she said.
Ms Beckett played down reports in today’s Daily Telegraph suggesting that Tony Blair is set to announce the withdrawal of almost 3,000 British troops by May.
She insisted any exit plans were dependent on the success of Operation Sinbad in Basra, which has seen Iraqi security forces increasingly take control, adding: “We will make our judgments depending on the progress of those events.”
Last year, the foreign secretary suggested that control of Basra could be handed over to the Iraqi authorities in spring this year, prompting speculation of a major troop withdrawal. However, ministers have been reluctant to say anything further.
Ms Beckett’s comments will be welcomed by many, and the Conservatives said they “remain sceptical that sending additional troops will achieve the desired results”.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague noted that last year’s attempt to control Baghdad with more US troops was not successful, and argued there was a risk that the insurgency would only be fuelled by the presence of more foreign troops.
“Like the government, we hope that a substantial number of British troops can be withdrawn from Basra in the course of this year, but we will be pressing the government to establish this year a full-scale enquiry into the Iraq conflict, which the country expects to see,” he said.
In a prime time address to the nation last night, President Bush said he would not accept defeat in Iraq, arguing it could create a “safe haven” for terrorists to organise attacks against the US, and insisted sending 21,500 more troops was vital in ensuring success.
“Our troops will have a well-defined mission, to help Iraqis clear and secure neighbourhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs,” he said
