Straw warning to Blair on Iraq
Jack Straw has reportedly warned Tony Blair that more troops may be needed to ensure Iraq’s security, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Telegraph has received confidential notes in which the Foreign Secretary reportedly told the Prime Minister that more troops are required to avoid ‘strategic failure’.
The Prime Minister is likely to be asked about the leak at his monthly press conference today, although any announcements of new troop deployments will be made by the Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.
Terrorism is continuing to plague Iraq, with a combination of foreign extremists and Saddam loyalists being blamed for a string of incidents. This has prompted public concern for British troops, and for Iraq as a whole.
The government’s response to the leak has been to state that it is natural that ministers would continue to discuss the situation as it progresses.
However, the document also appears to suggest a time limit for progress to be made. In late October the holy month of Ramadan will begin, and The Telegraph reports that the notes call for progress to be made by then.
The need for greater military presence may not require more troops from the UK, which already has the second largest presence in Iraq. There are now thousands of troops from dozens of other countries in Iraq, and a Polish led force has been allocated a zone of control in central Iraq.
Several countries that have so far declined to send troops may also reverse their decision in the light of new moves at the United Nations.
The USA appears to have moved to allow the UN a greater role in the affairs in Iraq so as to secure a new resolution. Although that resolution may not convince the countries most opposed to the war to contribute forces, several such as Turkey, India and Pakistan have indicated their willingness to send forces following a new mandate.
Efforts are also being made to shift some of the security work into the hands of Iraqis. The new Iraqi Cabinet has not been given any security powers but more than thirty thousand uniformed Iraqis have been recruited since the war.
