UK/IRAQ: British Prime Minister Tony Blair 'in agreement' with UK army chief over troop withdrawal from Iraq

Britain's army chief said on Thursday (October 12) his troops should be withdrawn from Iraq soon as their presence was making security worse, in bluntly worded comments seized upon by opponents of the U.S.-led invasion three years ago. Chief of the General Staff Richard Dannatt told the Daily Mail newspaper that post-war planning for the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was "poor" and the presence of troops there was hurting British security globally. The remarks, extraordinary from such a senior serving officer, could have political fallout on both sides of the Atlantic. The war has damaged the standing of Prime Minister Tony Blair and is a major issue for U.S. President George W. Bush's allies in congressional elections next month. Although in later interviews Dannatt denied any split with Blair, he may have added to the storm by warning that overstretching the British army in Iraq could "break it". Britain should "get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems," he told the Mail. "I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq, but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them," he said. Blair told a news conference in Scotland later on Friday that having read the newspaper interview and transcripts of remarks Dannatt made to radio and television stations there was no division between them. "What he is saying about wanting the British forces out of Iraq is precisely the same as we are all saying," Blair said. "Our strategy is to withdraw from Iraq when the job is done." "The reason that we have been able to give up two provinces now to Iraqi control is precisely because the job has been done there," he added, noting that Basra was still not secure which was why British forces remained in place. However, U.S.-led forces and the Iraqi government face a challenge both from insurgency and sectarian fighting between Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims that has brought the country close to civil war. A spokeswoman at Blair's office issued a statement in response to the Dannatt interview that was echoed by the Ministry of Defence. "It's important that people remember that we are in Iraq at the express wish of the democratically elected Iraqi government, to support them under the mandate of a U.N. resolution," the Downing Street statement said. The opposition Conservatives' defence spokesman, however, welcomed the general's intervention, while expressing surprise at his bluntness. "We need urgent clarification now from ministers about whether there has been any change in the government's position," Liam Fox said in a statement. Blair has insisted that British troops must remain in Iraq until the Iraqi government is able to take control of security. Bush, however, said on Wednesday (October 11) he was open to adjusting the U.S. strategy in the country after two senior Republicans suggested there were alternatives to his policy, described by critics as "stay-the-course". General Dannatt denied any rift between himself and Prime Minister Tony Blair on Iraq, and said that some of his remarks reported by the Daily Mail newspaper had been misunderstood. "There is no malign intention and I am afraid you won't find a cigarette paper between myself and (British Defence secretary) Des Brown or indeed between myself and Tony Blair. It may disappoint some of the media and I made some forthright comments all of which I stand by but my intention is not malign and my intention is not malicious. Asked if as head of the British Army he should resign, Dannatt replied: "Of course not." In a snapshot of the daily chaos plaguing Iraq, gunmen stormed a television station in Baghdad on Thursday (October 12) and shot dead 11 staff in the biggest attack yet on media in the country. Iraqi media organisations, funded by religious or political groups, are frequent targets for militant groups as attacks by Sunni Arab insurgents and sectarian death squads continue to convulse the country, killing an estimated 100 people a day. The British government has not yet set a timetable for the departure of its troops from Iraq and in the streets of Basra, residents were divided over the issue. A Basra resident Naktal Saidq, said from inside his car: "I am of the opinion that the British forces should stay in Iraq because the Iraqi forces is still incapable and to help the Iraqi forces in keeping security from the terrorist groups and that they are able to defeat terrorists in many different parts of the area." Since March 2003, 119 British soldiers have died in Iraq. Britain's involvement in Iraq was divisive from the outset. There were massive anti-war marches in London before the invasion, and two Cabinet ministers quit the government to protest policy in Iraq. The general's comments may signal an increasing boldness among senior military officials who fear that the army is overstretched on two fronts - Afghanistan and Iraq.

ITN Source | October 14, 2006

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