After four years and 130 deaths, the UK is finally getting out of Iraq. Tony Blair has announced that 1,600 troops will withdraw over the next few months, with another 500 more by the end of the year. The remaining 5,000 troops will remain through 2008, but look likely to be gone by then. And its not a moment too soon, according to the Iraqis they have been "supporting" - in Basra, the move was almost universally welcomed, with provincial officials and politicians blaming the British for violence and the lack of security in the city.
Meanwhile, the Danes are getting out as well, slashing their deployment by 90% and leaving only a token force behind. I wonder who will be next to get out?
2 comments:
Politicians are really good at blaming people. If there is civil unrest and your a politician there has to be someone else you can blame it on otherwise you are just left with yourself.
Watch for them turn on themselves after the bristish leave.
Having said that if I was the british I'd be getting out too, and wondering why I ever got "in".
GNZ
Posted by Anonymous : 2/22/2007 12:25:00 PM
To quote the deputy prime minister, Barham Salih, from The Guardian article -
"British troops have helped liberate the people of Iraq from tyranny.
"We honour their sacrifices in helping Iraqis to live in freedom. The redeployment comes in the context of transferring security responsibilities to the Iraqi government, but activating the economy is the real key to stability."
Hopefully the next to leave will be the US troops once they are able to hand over to the Iraqi army as the British intend to do.
Posted by Anonymous : 2/22/2007 12:58:00 PM
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