Reply #14: Blair battered by army chief's outburst

[bigtree]

Sir Richard’s stand will jeopardise Mr Blair’s attempts to secure his legacy, exposing the vulnerability of the Prime Minister over Iraq

Michael Evans and Sam Coates
October 13, 2006

{snip}

Last night Dr Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said that Sir Richard’s comments came at a time when the Prime Minister’s authority was already “badly damaged and ebbing away”.

He added: “It has always been the case that our presence has been a recruiting tool for extremists. We have always known that our presence on the ground will be used by fundamentalists and men of violence to recruit people into their ways.”

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said that government policy on Iraq was “collapsing”. He said: “Senior military figures who were always doubtful about action in Iraq and its aftermath are becoming increasingly anxious about our role and the risks involved.”

Major-General Patrick Cordingly, who commanded the Desert Rats during the 1991 Gulf War, said that Sir Richard’s comments were “very brave”.

He added that the Army chief’s opinion was “enormously pragmatic” and may be “welcomed by some soldiers who have served several tours of duty in Iraq”.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20573902-2703,00.html