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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Brown makes first visit to Iraq | Brown makes first visit to Iraq |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown is making his first visit to Iraq and has promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy. | Chancellor Gordon Brown is making his first visit to Iraq and has promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy. |
| After meeting UK troops near Basra, he praised their "tremendous morale" and the "work they have been doing in often very difficult circumstances". | After meeting UK troops near Basra, he praised their "tremendous morale" and the "work they have been doing in often very difficult circumstances". |
| Mr Brown also discussed Iraq's economy with senior ministers. | Mr Brown also discussed Iraq's economy with senior ministers. |
| Earlier, Tony Blair publicly agreed that violence in Iraq since the US-led 2003 invasion had been a "disaster". | Earlier, Tony Blair publicly agreed that violence in Iraq since the US-led 2003 invasion had been a "disaster". |
| 'Security and prosperity' | 'Security and prosperity' |
| Mr Brown, whose visit had been kept secret, said: "We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation which brings security and prosperity to its people and plays a full part in the region and the world economy." | Mr Brown, whose visit had been kept secret, said: "We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation which brings security and prosperity to its people and plays a full part in the region and the world economy." |
| We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6161826.stm" class="">In pictures: Brown in Iraq | |
| The chancellor - the favourite to succeed Mr Blair as prime minister - is seen as keen to increase his profile outside his Treasury brief. | The chancellor - the favourite to succeed Mr Blair as prime minister - is seen as keen to increase his profile outside his Treasury brief. |
| Travelling with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, he met Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. | Travelling with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, he met Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. |
| Mr Brown told members of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment: "I know you are called the Tigers, and you are proud and courageous tigers and everyone in Britain is very proud of you. | Mr Brown told members of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment: "I know you are called the Tigers, and you are proud and courageous tigers and everyone in Britain is very proud of you. |
| "I hope you will have a restful Christmas." | "I hope you will have a restful Christmas." |
| Police 'problem' | Police 'problem' |
| The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra, but the city remains dangerous with factions battling for control. | The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra, but the city remains dangerous with factions battling for control. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Dick Barton - advising the Iraqi police force - said large numbers of officers would have to be replaced to reduce militia influence. | Assistant Chief Constable Dick Barton - advising the Iraqi police force - said large numbers of officers would have to be replaced to reduce militia influence. |
| It's not difficult because of some accident in planning... It's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy Tony Blair Blair accepts Iraq 'disaster' | It's not difficult because of some accident in planning... It's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy Tony Blair Blair accepts Iraq 'disaster' |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the "culture difference" was making reform difficult. | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the "culture difference" was making reform difficult. |
| Earlier, Mr Blair was questioned by Sir David Frost in an interview on the al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel about the situation in Iraq. | Earlier, Mr Blair was questioned by Sir David Frost in an interview on the al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel about the situation in Iraq. |
| When asked whether the violence had "so far been pretty much of a disaster", the prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq? | When asked whether the violence had "so far been pretty much of a disaster", the prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq? |
| "It's not difficult because of some accident in planning." | "It's not difficult because of some accident in planning." |
| Those involved in the insurgency had a "deliberate strategy" which had to be overcome, Mr Blair added. | Those involved in the insurgency had a "deliberate strategy" which had to be overcome, Mr Blair added. |
| The Liberal Democrats said the prime minister had now accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq. | The Liberal Democrats said the prime minister had now accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq. |
| But Downing Street insisted his views had been misrepresented. | But Downing Street insisted his views had been misrepresented. |