This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6966085.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| PM rules out Iraq exit timetable | PM rules out Iraq exit timetable |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, saying they still have "an important job to do". | Gordon Brown has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, saying they still have "an important job to do". |
| The prime minister said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". | The prime minister said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". |
| He insisted setting a timetable would undermine those efforts. | He insisted setting a timetable would undermine those efforts. |
| Sir Menzies said Mr Brown was "ignoring the reality" in Iraq and should accept that UK efforts there had failed. | Sir Menzies said Mr Brown was "ignoring the reality" in Iraq and should accept that UK efforts there had failed. |
| Speaking on BBC News 24, he said: "What are we achieving politically for Iraq and what are we achieving militarily for ourselves? | Speaking on BBC News 24, he said: "What are we achieving politically for Iraq and what are we achieving militarily for ourselves? |
| "There are no legitimate or coherent answers to those questions." | "There are no legitimate or coherent answers to those questions." |
| We have very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis Foreign Secretary David Miliband 'Generation of conflict' ahead Where are British troops? Send us your comments | We have very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis Foreign Secretary David Miliband 'Generation of conflict' ahead Where are British troops? Send us your comments |
| The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, echoed Mr Brown's comments in a speech in June which has only just been made public. | The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, echoed Mr Brown's comments in a speech in June which has only just been made public. |
| Gen Dannatt said British troops must prepare for a "generation of conflict" and continue to work for "some form of success" in Iraq. | Gen Dannatt said British troops must prepare for a "generation of conflict" and continue to work for "some form of success" in Iraq. |
| 'Magnificent job' | 'Magnificent job' |
| In his letter, Mr Brown told Sir Menzies: "It is wrong to say that the continuing presence of UK forces in Iraq will achieve little, or that they are severely restricted in what they can do. | In his letter, Mr Brown told Sir Menzies: "It is wrong to say that the continuing presence of UK forces in Iraq will achieve little, or that they are severely restricted in what they can do. |
| "UK forces in Basra continue to have the capability to strike against the militias and provide overall security. | "UK forces in Basra continue to have the capability to strike against the militias and provide overall security. |
| "They will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities and security forces to get them to the point where they can assume full responsibility for security." | "They will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities and security forces to get them to the point where they can assume full responsibility for security." |
| Mr Brown said he was determined that the UK's approach to Iraq would be based on fulfilling obligations to the Iraqi government, and to the United Nations. | Mr Brown said he was determined that the UK's approach to Iraq would be based on fulfilling obligations to the Iraqi government, and to the United Nations. |
| He said setting an exit timetable for troops would "undermine" those obligations, "as well as hindering the task of our armed forces and increasing the risks they face". | He said setting an exit timetable for troops would "undermine" those obligations, "as well as hindering the task of our armed forces and increasing the risks they face". |
| "I will do nothing that puts at risk the ability of our armed forces, who have done and are doing a magnificent job, to accomplish their work," Mr Brown added. | "I will do nothing that puts at risk the ability of our armed forces, who have done and are doing a magnificent job, to accomplish their work," Mr Brown added. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that UK troops had "very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis". | Foreign Secretary David Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that UK troops had "very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis". |
| "Secondly, we have very clear criteria for moving towards that sort of Iraqi control, and that is on the basis of their own security forces having the ability to run their own affairs," Mr Miliband said. | "Secondly, we have very clear criteria for moving towards that sort of Iraqi control, and that is on the basis of their own security forces having the ability to run their own affairs," Mr Miliband said. |
| 'Rehearses line' | 'Rehearses line' |
| There are about 5,500 British military personnel in Iraq, down from 18,000 in May 2003 at the end of combat operations. | |
| But US officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground. | But US officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground. |
| The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state Prime Minister Gordon Brown In full: Gordon Brown's letter US 'frustrated' with UK forces | The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state Prime Minister Gordon Brown In full: Gordon Brown's letter US 'frustrated' with UK forces |
| Last week senior US military advisor Gen Jack Keane expressed "frustration" that the British were more focused on training Iraqi troops than controlling "deteriorating" security in Basra. | Last week senior US military advisor Gen Jack Keane expressed "frustration" that the British were more focused on training Iraqi troops than controlling "deteriorating" security in Basra. |
| Mr Miliband insisted that decisions about operations in Basra would not be influenced by US opinion. | Mr Miliband insisted that decisions about operations in Basra would not be influenced by US opinion. |
| 'Political solidarity' | 'Political solidarity' |
| Sir Menzies said the level of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan was now "unacceptable" and could not be justified on the grounds of maintaining "political solidarity" with the US. | Sir Menzies said the level of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan was now "unacceptable" and could not be justified on the grounds of maintaining "political solidarity" with the US. |
| Mr Brown's approach to Iraq was no different to that of Tony Blair, he added. | Mr Brown's approach to Iraq was no different to that of Tony Blair, he added. |
| Mr Brown also defended the "integrity, bravery and intelligence" of military policy in Afghanistan, where 73 British soldiers have died since the start of operations in 2001. | Mr Brown also defended the "integrity, bravery and intelligence" of military policy in Afghanistan, where 73 British soldiers have died since the start of operations in 2001. |
| He admitted operations involved "tough, dangerous and difficult tasks and terrain", but said: "The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state." | He admitted operations involved "tough, dangerous and difficult tasks and terrain", but said: "The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state." |