Meyer warns Brown over Iraq plans

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UK troops should not pull out of Iraq without considering the impact on relations with the US, an ex-British ambassador to Washington has said.

Sir Christopher Meyer told the BBC: "Having gone in together in Iraq, to a very large extent, we're going to have to come out together."

He warned Prime Minister Gordon Brown to "think hard about the politics and the diplomacy of withdrawing".

The US is set to reduce troops in Iraq by about 30,000 by next summer.

The White House say the cuts, with conditions attached, will be announced by President Bush in a major TV address.

'Lack of synchronisation'

Last week the UK withdrew 550 UK soldiers from central Basra to join 5,000 troops at an airbase outside the city, taking up an "overwatch" role.

Sir Christopher, British ambassador to Washington in the run up to the Iraq conflict, said the UK had to avoid a situation where pulling out its troops costs the lives of American servicemen in Iraq.

We can't take all the British troops out of Basra and leave the Americans alone in Iraq - I think that would cause the most extraordinary breach for the United States Sir Christopher Meyer

He said he could foresee a US military presence remaining in Iraq all through 2008's American presidential elections, leaving the next incumbent having to "inherit the mess".

"The problem for Gordon Brown is whether he fits in with this timetable or whether he is going to wish to move faster than the Americans look that they are going to do." Sir Christopher told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"There is already a lack of synchronisation between surge in Baghdad and Britain cutting down in Basra.

"Is that going to continue or will Gordon Brown try to accommodate himself with American plans?"

Sir Christopher said to a large extent, British troops will have to pull out at the same time as their US counterparts.

'Careful talk'

"That means we can't take all the British troops out of Basra and leave the Americans alone in Iraq. I think that would cause the most extraordinary breach for the United States both on the Republicans side and on the Democratic side.

"This is going to have to be the subject of very careful talk with the Americans.

"Yes, preserve our national interests, but part of that is not to provoke a profound breach with the USA."

On Tuesday, Mr Brown and Mr Bush held a "lengthy" video conference, which is thought to have focused on Iraq.

Sir Christopher said he believed that "if we were so to act that it would be possible for the Americans to say 'we are losing more lives than we would otherwise have done had the Brits stayed there', that is the red line.

"That is the calculation that has to be both political and military."

He added: "I would also say to Gordon Brown the strong advice you should give the American president is that we need as a companion piece to the military surge, a political and diplomatic surge. You cannot do the military in a vacuum."