Blair DELAYED plan to have Iraq troops home within WEEKS because of US pressure?

[bigtree]

updated at 23:39pm on 20th February 2007

Blair has bowed to US pressure and now plans to keep all British troops in Iraq until August

Tony Blair has been forced to put back plans to withdraw British troops from Iraq within weeks - after pressure from the U.S.

For more than a year the Government has been holding out the prospect of a "draw-down" of Britain's 7,100 troops in Iraq.

But substantial reductions have been postponed after the Prime Minister agreed to back a fresh "surge" in U.S. troops, ordered by George Bush last month.

Critics are likely to accuse Mr Blair of allowing British policy to be dictated by U.S. interests.

Plans to withdraw some soldiers in April as part of a scheduled rotation of troops have been scrapped. It is likely that a reduction will not take place before August.

Whitehall sources confirmed the delay. A statement is expected from Mr Blair on the prospect of some troops returning home this year.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=437505&in_page_id=1811

[originalpckelly]

1. What the fuck is going on?

:shrug:

[bigtree]

3. I can't tell where this fits in

is it a 'before' report, or a follow up?

[originalpckelly]

9. I just heard that the White House has confirmed the UKs troop reduction...

so this story seems out of date and inaccurate now.

[Connie_Corleone]

2. That was quick.

[MoonRiver]

4. Once again, Tony demonstrates he's just bush's attack poodle. AAARGH!

[KoKo]

5. Well...he must have SOME PRESSURE to WITHDRAW...because Cables and

Networks are announcing tonight that he's withdrawing 1,500 with another 1,500 to be "determined."

So unless Bush has dirt on him and gets his "goons" on Tony's back overnight...then Bush is left in a hole explaining that Brits still have "Robust Force" still left on the ground ...even if Blair withdraws the firs 1,500. Bush's "spokeperson" gave the "Robust Brit Troops Lie" to CNN's Blitzer earlier tonight. Putting much "lipstick on the Pig" to cover his humiliation. :shrug:

[Connie_Corleone]

7. I guess we'll find out when Blair gives his speech tomorrow.

[Greeby]

6. We'll see what happens in the Commons tomorrow nt

[bigtree]

8. The reduction of just 1,000 by early summer is significantly less than anticipated

The reduction of just 1,000 by early summer cited by officials yesterday is significantly less than anticipated in reports that British troops in southern Iraq, presently totalling 7,200, would be cut by half by May.

A more cautious reduction may reflect concern expressed by the Iraqi and US governments about British intentions. The US has privately admonished Britain claiming it is interested only in Basra. British ministers and officials say the situation in the Shia-dominated south cannot be compared to Baghdad, which is plagued by Sunni-Shia sectarian violence.

Under the plan due to be outlined by Mr Blair, British troops will gradually move into a single base on the outskirts of Basra. They will continue to take part in operations but in a role supporting Iraqi security forces rather than leading them, according to defence officials.

They will also continue operating long range desert patrols in Maysan province, north of Basra, along the border with Iran - a mission pressed on Britain by the US which says it is concerned about the smuggling of weapons from Iran. By the end of next year, all but a few army instructors will have left the country.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2017826,00.html