Has England announced a withdrawal?

[mikelewis]

The last paragraph of this article states:

If relations between London and Tehran continue to deteriorate there are fears the British contingent in Iraq could face growing attacks or even a bigger insurrection that would threaten hopes of an orderly withdrawal next year.

I hadn't realized England had announced it hoped to pullout in '06.

http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Stories.aspx?Iran%20trade%20war%20with%20UK%20spills%20over%20into%20Iraq&StoryID=99FECC93-4AC0-48F0-B9D2-AFACD3694802&SectionID=583B107B-09E6-4879-8EFF-0B3F78259B2E

edited: to include link DUH!

[tx_dem41]

1. And the sentence doesn't say there is a specific withdrawal.

It only states that there are "hopes" for one.

[mikelewis]

2. True but this is the first time I've heard that they had any...

sort of timetable set for withdrawal, even a hopeful one.

[tx_dem41]

3. There is no timetable. Only hopes for some level of withdrawal in

'06.

[mikelewis]

4. It only seemed remarkable because the statement deviates...

from the "stay the course" bullshit we hear everyday. I haven't heard one politician say that there was hopes for a pullout next year. Even Murtha's plan would have us in Iraq for at least 2 more years but England has hopes to leave next year? It seems as if there's a bit of a disconnect between camps on what our hopes are for the future of Iraq.

[rucky]

5. sounds like they're forming an excuse not to withdraw...

and using Iran (the next war) as a scapegoat.

[mikelewis]

6. I highly doubt England or the U.S. for that matter has any intentions of..

attacking Iran. Syria, yes, Iran, no. England has basically turned over control to Iran in the South already and they have no plans on changing that situation. Iran and Iraq just entered into a pipeline deal and Iran is planning on supplying energy to southern Iraq. Zalmay Kalzid, our Mid-east envoy is on the way to Iran to seek help in curbing the insurrection. No, Iran was a smoke screen, a way to cover up the amazingly fast home-grown rebellion. If there's any country that needs to worry, it's Syria. They're either going to have to back completely away from Lebanon or the U.S. is going to pin the Harari assasination on them and use it as an excuse to bring sanctions against them. Syria is reluctant because it wants and needs access to Lebanon's fresh water supplies. Plus, the Syrian government is looking the other way when fighters cross the borders and hole up in Syria for a spell. The Syrian Government is between a rock and a hard-place because in spite of thier desire to help the U.S. and avoid international conflict, they're facing tremendous pressure from thier people not to play our game. They're damned if they do and damned if they don't.