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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Iraq open for business - Miliband | Iraq open for business - Miliband |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband has declared Iraq "open for business" and a good place for UK firms to do business, during a surprise visit to the country. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has declared Iraq "open for business" and a good place for UK firms to do business, during a surprise visit to the country. |
| After meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Mr Miliband told a press conference the UK was committed to investing in Iraq. | After meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Mr Miliband told a press conference the UK was committed to investing in Iraq. |
| The UK-based Mesopotamia Petroleum Company has just agreed a £277m ($400m) joint venture to drill for oil in Iraq. | The UK-based Mesopotamia Petroleum Company has just agreed a £277m ($400m) joint venture to drill for oil in Iraq. |
| Mr Miliband is expected to visit British forces in Basra on Friday, as they prepare for withdrawal in July. | Mr Miliband is expected to visit British forces in Basra on Friday, as they prepare for withdrawal in July. |
| He will also meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his two-day visit, his first since April 2008. | He will also meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his two-day visit, his first since April 2008. |
| UK forces have lost 178 troops since the 2003 invasion and currently have a 4,100-strong force in the country. | UK forces have lost 178 troops since the 2003 invasion and currently have a 4,100-strong force in the country. |
| They handed over control of Basra airport, the main military base in southern Iraq, on 1 January and have been training the Iraqi army. Britain will be a major investor in Iraq David Miliband | They handed over control of Basra airport, the main military base in southern Iraq, on 1 January and have been training the Iraqi army. Britain will be a major investor in Iraq David Miliband |
| UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said Britain's mission will be completed "by the end of May, or earlier" and withdrawal is scheduled by the end of July. | UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said Britain's mission will be completed "by the end of May, or earlier" and withdrawal is scheduled by the end of July. |
| Mr Miliband told the press conference: "With the improving security situation... our relationship becomes one defined not just by defence and security but also by politics, by economics, by culture and by education." | Mr Miliband told the press conference: "With the improving security situation... our relationship becomes one defined not just by defence and security but also by politics, by economics, by culture and by education." |
| The deal between the Mesopotamia Petroleum Company and Iraq's oil ministry will see 60 oil wells drilled per month, each producing 2,000 barrels of crude per day. | The deal between the Mesopotamia Petroleum Company and Iraq's oil ministry will see 60 oil wells drilled per month, each producing 2,000 barrels of crude per day. |
| "This sends an important signal, not just to the people of Iraq about the long-term economic commitment of Britain to Iraq, but also... to British business [that] Iraq is open for business," said Mr Miliband. | "This sends an important signal, not just to the people of Iraq about the long-term economic commitment of Britain to Iraq, but also... to British business [that] Iraq is open for business," said Mr Miliband. |
| Iraqi leaders recently invited foreign firms to invest in the oil-rich state as security improves. | Iraqi leaders recently invited foreign firms to invest in the oil-rich state as security improves. |
| Praise for Obama | Praise for Obama |
| Mr Miliband said a number of UK companies were already interested, not just within the oil industry but in sectors such as education. | Mr Miliband said a number of UK companies were already interested, not just within the oil industry but in sectors such as education. |
| "Britain will be a major investor in Iraq," he added. | "Britain will be a major investor in Iraq," he added. |
| Mr Miliband also praised US President Barack Obama's administration for its careful and "wholly appropriate" approach to pulling out troops. | Mr Miliband also praised US President Barack Obama's administration for its careful and "wholly appropriate" approach to pulling out troops. |
| Mr al-Maliki has said his country was not worried by Mr Obama's plans for an accelerated withdrawal, as the president prepares to announce a timeline for the process. | Mr al-Maliki has said his country was not worried by Mr Obama's plans for an accelerated withdrawal, as the president prepares to announce a timeline for the process. |
| The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband's discussions with Mr al-Maliki were likely to focus on trade, education and cultural links, the Middle East peace process and human rights. | The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband's discussions with Mr al-Maliki were likely to focus on trade, education and cultural links, the Middle East peace process and human rights. |
| Students taking advantage of a UK-funded scholarship scheme to help bright Iraqis attend university in Britain will also talk to Mr Miliband about the scheme. | Students taking advantage of a UK-funded scholarship scheme to help bright Iraqis attend university in Britain will also talk to Mr Miliband about the scheme. |
| Collusion claims | |
| Mr Miliband's visits comes after senior figures including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visited the country this month. | Mr Miliband's visits comes after senior figures including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visited the country this month. |
| He arrived in Iraq as the UK government faced claims of collusion with US authorities by handing over terror suspects in the country. | |
| Defence Secretary John Hutton said two men detained in 2004 were transferred to US custody and then transported to Afghanistan for questioning. | |
| The government had previously insisted Britain had no direct involvement with these "extraordinary rendition" flights. | |
| Mr Hutton apologised for past incorrect answers given to MPs. Mr Miliband last year admitted two rendition flights had landed to refuel on UK territory in 2002. |