Doubts over withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq

[cal04]

Doubts about the withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq were raised last night after the Cabinet Office rejected calls for an audit to be published on the readiness of Iraqi forces to take over their own security. The request to publish the report by the retired US General Gary Luck was made under the Freedom of Information Act by Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats. But it was rejected on the grounds that it would "impact negatively upon the UK's international relations".

MPs said the report suggested that the withdrawal of some coalition troops later this year would be a gesture to relieve pressure in the US and Britain for the pull-out to begin, but that Iraqi forces were not ready for a large-scale reduction in US and British troops. Tony Blair told MPs last year he wanted to publish the wide-ranging audit on the Iraqi forces by General Luck which had been ordered by Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary. The Cabinet Office said publication would "significantly prejudice the UK's important interests with the US".

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, protested about a possible cover-up. "What does the report say about troop withdrawal - and have coalition mistakes prolonged our commitment?" He said: "While parts of the report may be withheld for security reasons, how can the Government justify the suppression of even the key findings? Many will suspect the report contains uncomfortable reading for officials in the UK and America."

A Cabinet Office letter to Sir Menzies said publication would "allow more informed debate" about the withdrawal date but added: "The public interest in disclosure is more than outweighed by the public interest in withholding the information. Releasing (it) would undermine the relationship of trust, which exists between the US and the UK and the UK and Iraq. The audit covered UK assistance to the Iraqi police service in southern Iraq. "Release of this information could undermine discussions and inhibit the provision of candid advice to senior officials about the development of policy towards Iraq," the letter added.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article344489.ece

[Oversea Visitor]

1. What is there to doubt

Fact is withdrawal is a foregone concluesion.
You now in a civil war
One that be turn again the invaders.
How many more need to die just to save you a few more day of face.
How much is one live worth.

There is only one exit strategy..... CUT AND RUN
That is the fact.

Yes Iraq will explode into choas
But that is another fact,
It is unavoidable.
Even if UN troops were to go in they will also be killed
It is a mess, it is broken, and peace have been shatter by brutal force of choas.

Congratulation to bush for hitting oil in a drywell.

[Bryan]

2. Hail Ming!

I'm sure Campbell's primary interest in the request was in finding information that will damage the Blair administration, but it's nice to see people in power in the UK trying to weaken the Bushco front from their side.

[grytpype]

3. "We have to cover King George's ass, sorry."

"We can't tell you that Iraqi troops are nowhere near able to stand on their own and we will be in there for another 20 years for that to happen, it's a big secret."

[Gloria]

4. Doubts over Withdrawal of UK Troops from Iraq (Luck rpt. censored)

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


1//The Independent, UK Published: 10 February 2006

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article344489.ece



DOUBTS OVER WITHDRAWAL OF UK TROOPS FROM IRAQ

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor



Doubts about the withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq were raised last night after the Cabinet Office rejected calls for an audit to be published on the readiness of Iraqi forces to take over their own security.

The request to publish the report by the retired US General Gary Luck was made under the Freedom of Information Act by Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats. But it was rejected on the grounds that it would "impact negatively upon the UK's international relations".

MPs said the report suggested that the withdrawal of some coalition troops later this year would be a gesture to relieve pressure in the US and Britain for the pull-out to begin, but that Iraqi forces were not ready for a large-scale reduction in US and British troops.

Tony Blair told MPs last year he wanted to publish the wide-ranging audit on the Iraqi forces by General Luck which had been ordered by Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary. The Cabinet Office said publication would "significantly prejudice the UK's important interests with the US".

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, protested about a possible cover-up. "What does the report say about troop withdrawal - and have coalition mistakes prolonged our commitment?"



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[DemInDistress]

5. Brits have been burned before in Iraq..back in 1914 they invaded

Bagdad and stayed for 18 yrs. it wasn't pretty either. they sustained many casualties over the next 18 yrs. then they decided to get the hell out. Will history repeat itself only not take 18 more yrs.?