US uneasy as Britain plans for early Iraq withdrawal

[babylonsister]

US uneasy as Britain plans for early Iraq withdrawal
Americans would prefer UK troops to remain in position as long as they do
Ewen MacAskill in Washington, Julian Borger and Patrick Wintour
Wednesday August 8, 2007
The Guardian


The Bush administration is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of an imminent British withdrawal from southern Iraq and would prefer UK troops to remain for another year or two.

British officials believe that Washington will signal its intention to reduce US troop numbers after a much-anticipated report next month by its top commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, clearing the way for Gordon Brown to announce a British withdrawal in parliament the following month. An official said: "We do believe we are nearly there."

It is not known whether George Bush expressed concern about the withdrawal of the remaining 5,000 British troops when he met Mr Brown in Washington last week. But sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the administration was worried about the political consequences of losing British troops.

One source said: "If the difference is between the British leaving at the end of the year or staying through to next year or the year after, it is a safe assumption that President Bush would prefer them to stay as long as the Americans are there."

The Bush administration - focused on the north, west and central Iraq and the "surge" strategy that has seen 30,000 extra US troops deployed - has until recently ignored the south, content to leave it to the British. Now, however, it is beginning to pay attention to the region, amid the realisation that what has been portrayed as a success story is turning sour.

more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2143879,00.html

[NNN0LHI]

1. Brown needs a report from Petraeus to realize occupying Iraq is/was a mistake?

I thought this Brown guy was supposed to be some kind of extra bright boy? Prodigy like in fact.

Someone is pulling his strings.

Meet the new Poodle, same as the old Poodle.

Don

[malaise]

2. I 'm more worried about what Bush is cooking up with

Sarkozy. Who's paying for that holiday in New Hampshire.

[babylonsister]

3. I don't think France is much of a threat either way. nt