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Review Iraq strategy, says Hague Review Iraq strategy, says Hague
(about 2 hours later)
British plans in Iraq should be reviewed to match the strategy rethink in the US, a senior Tory has said. UK plans in Iraq should be reviewed to match the strategy rethink in the US, the shadow foreign secretary has said.
The government should give MPs a "frank" assessment of the changing situation, as the review of US options is published, said William Hague. The government should give MPs a "frank" assessment of the changing situation, said William Hague.
Parliament needed to know there was "British influence" in any decisions, the shadow foreign secretary said. "We are certainly not in favour of a precipitate withdrawal or panic in this situation, but we are in favour of learning from experience," he said.
President George Bush has been discussing changing tactics with top US commanders to try to combat the unrest. He spoke as Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said local forces should be able to take over within a year.
He said on Saturday that military tactics in Iraq would keep changing to deal with insurgents. And Defence Secretary Des Browne said he agreed with Mr Howells "in terms of capacity".
Mr Bush's handling of the Iraq crisis has become a major issue in the elections next month for Congress. Opinion polls suggest his Republican party could lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives. Exit strategy
In the US, Mr Bush's handling of the Iraq crisis has become a major issue in the elections next month for Congress. Opinion polls suggest his Republican party could lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would and as the government hoped they would William Hague Iraqis 'to take charge next year'Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would and as the government hoped they would William Hague Iraqis 'to take charge next year'
On Sunday a senior US state department official said the US had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq.
A review of American options is being carried out by former US Secretary of State James Baker - to be published after the 7 November elections.A review of American options is being carried out by former US Secretary of State James Baker - to be published after the 7 November elections.
Recent leaks have suggested the president will be advised to drop the "stay the course" policy in favour of preparing for an eventual exit strategy.Recent leaks have suggested the president will be advised to drop the "stay the course" policy in favour of preparing for an eventual exit strategy.
Mr Hague told BBC One's AM programme that the review going on in Washington should be mirrored by a "careful reassessment" in London.Mr Hague told BBC One's AM programme that the review going on in Washington should be mirrored by a "careful reassessment" in London.
"That work should be happening in Whitehall as well and we should be able to fully debate it in the House of Commons and know that there is British influence in the decision, not just solely an American decision.""That work should be happening in Whitehall as well and we should be able to fully debate it in the House of Commons and know that there is British influence in the decision, not just solely an American decision."
He said Parliament had not had the opportunity for a full debate on the changing situation in Iraq since returning from the summer recess.He said Parliament had not had the opportunity for a full debate on the changing situation in Iraq since returning from the summer recess.
HAVE YOUR SAY The policies regarding Iraq must be reviewed and changed Justin Schultz, Boise, US Send us your viewsHAVE YOUR SAY The policies regarding Iraq must be reviewed and changed Justin Schultz, Boise, US Send us your views
"We are certainly not in favour of a precipitate withdrawal or panic in this situation, but we are in favour of learning from experience.
"Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would and as the government hoped they would."Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would and as the government hoped they would.
"We do need to learn from that. That means we do now need that well-informed debate.""We do need to learn from that. That means we do now need that well-informed debate."
Earlier, Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said the Iraqi army and police should be able to take charge of much of their own country within a year. 'Disastrous'
Mr Howells told BBC Radio Five Live: "I would have thought that certainly within a year or so there'll be adequate trained Iraqi soldiers and security forces, policemen and women and so on, in order to do the job. Mr Howells told BBC Radio Five Live on Saturday: "I would have thought that certainly within a year or so there'll be adequate trained Iraqi soldiers and security forces, policemen and women and so on, in order to do the job.
"I mean I'd be very surprised if in a year's time there isn't that kind of capacity there for taking on a lot of the work that's done at the moment by the coalition forces.""I mean I'd be very surprised if in a year's time there isn't that kind of capacity there for taking on a lot of the work that's done at the moment by the coalition forces."
Asked about Mr Howell's comments later, Defence Secretary Des Browne said he thought southern Iraq could be handed over within 12 months. On Sunday, Mr Browne said Britain was "quite far down" the road toward transferring responsibility for security in Iraq to national security forces.
But, asked directly when he thought British forces would be out of Iraq, he replied: "When the job is done." But, asked directly when he thought British forces would be out of Iraq, he replied only: "When the job is done". Britain has about 7,000 troops stationed in southern Iraq around the second city of Basra.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said this week that withdrawing troops prematurely would be "disastrous".Prime Minister Tony Blair said this week that withdrawing troops prematurely would be "disastrous".
Last week the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying British troops "exacerbated" Iraq's security problems and should withdraw "some time soon".Last week the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying British troops "exacerbated" Iraq's security problems and should withdraw "some time soon".