Reply #32: Bush gets ready for Iraq U-turn by Brown [View All]

[Barrett808]

Source: Telegraph

Bush gets ready for Iraq U-turn by Brown
By Tim Shipman in Washington, Philip Sherwell and Patrick Hennessy, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 9:37am BST 20/05/2007

Gordon Brown is prepared to risk the future of the "special relationship" with the United States by reversing Tony Blair's support for the Iraq war, President George W Bush has been warned.

He has been briefed by White House officials to expect an announcement on British troop withdrawals from Mr Brown during his first 100 days in power. It would be designed to boost the new prime minister's popularity in the opinion polls.

The President recently discussed with a senior White House adviser how to handle the fallout from the expected loss of Washington's main ally in Iraq, The Sunday Telegraph has learned.

Details of the talks came as a close ally of Mr Brown called for a quicker withdrawal of British troops. Nigel Griffiths, a former minister, said: "We should get out of Iraq as soon as is practicable. We should consult the Iraqi government - but they cannot have a veto. This cannot be delayed."

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