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Review Iraq strategy, says Hague Review Iraq strategy, says Hague
(about 1 hour later)
UK plans in Iraq should be reviewed to match the strategy rethink in the US, the shadow foreign secretary 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, said William Hague.The government should give MPs a "frank" assessment of the changing situation, said William Hague.
"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. "Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would... we do need to learn from that," he said.
He spoke as Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said local forces should be able to take over within a year. He spoke as Defence Secretary Des Browne said Iraqi forces in the south could be capable of taking control of security in a year's time.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said he agreed with Mr Howells "in terms of capacity". Mr Browne was echoing comments from Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells on Saturday that local forces should be able to take over within a year.
"Others may describe when they think the Iraqi forces may be able to take over their responsibility... and I agree with them in terms of capacity," he told Sky News.
He said the estimates were a reflection of the "improvement" there had been in the Iraqi forces.
Exit strategyExit 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.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.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
"Clearly things are not going as well as many of us hoped they would and as the government hoped they would. "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.
"We do need to learn from that. That means we do now need that well-informed debate." "That means we do now need that well-informed debate."
'Disastrous' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "It is not tactics that matter in Iraq, but strategy.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "It is not tactics that matter in Iraq, but strategy.
"And the sooner the prime minister and president realise this, the better. The present strategy has failed.""And the sooner the prime minister and president realise this, the better. The present strategy has failed."
'Disastrous'
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said the strategy had been clearly laid out by the prime minister in the Commons on Wednesday, and in Baghdad in May.A spokesman for the Foreign Office said the strategy had been clearly laid out by the prime minister in the Commons on Wednesday, and in Baghdad in May.
On Wednesday, Mr Blair said it was right to discuss the strategy - but added that it would not change, and that to withdraw prematurely would be "disastrous".
On Sunday, Mr Browne said Britain was "quite far down" the road toward transferring responsibility for security in Iraq to national security forces.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 only: "When the job is done". Britain has about 7,000 troops stationed in southern Iraq around the second city of Basra. But, asked directly when he thought British forces would be out of Iraq, he replied only: "When the job is done".
Prime Minister Tony Blair said this week that withdrawing troops prematurely would be "disastrous". Britain has about 7,000 troops stationed in southern Iraq around the second city of Basra.
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".