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PM rules out Iraq exit timetable | PM rules out Iraq exit timetable |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has ruled out setting a timetable for withdrawing UK troops from Iraq, saying it would undermine their "important job" there. | |
Writing to Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, he said the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". | |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the UK forces' training and mentoring role was what was needed on the ground. | |
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've been absolutely clear that the so-called overwatch functions...are all important Foreign Secretary David Miliband 'Generation of conflict' ahead Where are British troops? Send us your comments | |
The head of the Army, Gen 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. |
Mr Miliband said: "We've been absolutely clear that the so-called overwatch functions, working on training and mentoring, on supply routes, on a latent capacity for intervention, are all important. | |
"It meets the situation that actually exists on the ground and I think that's the right way to fulfil our international obligations and the obligations to the Iraqi people." | |
American 'frustration' | |
There are about 5,500 British military personnel in Iraq, down from 18,000 in May 2003 at the end of combat operations. | There are about 5,500 British military personnel in Iraq, down from 18,000 in May 2003 at the end of combat operations. |
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 |
But US officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground. | |
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. |
Same approach | |
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." |