Guardian: Army chiefs resist call for more Iraq troops

[ze_dscherman]

Army chiefs resist call for more Iraq troops

British commanders fear getting sucked into US operations as Falluja battle rages

Patrick Wintour and Richard Norton-Taylor
Thursday April 29, 2004
The Guardian

Senior military chiefs have strongly resisted proposals to send more British troops to Iraq or any extension of their area of command until clearer signals are given about their legal status after the June 30 handover of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.

Britain has been under pressure to increase its military presence in the wake of the pullout of previous coalition troops, especially the Spanish. But a government source said: "The senior British military are strongly opposed to taking over the Spanish areas of command or sending further troops."

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1205632,00.html
He said the resistance was coming from the top of the military, conceding: "Many things have been discussed further down the chain of command, including an extra 2,000 troops."

[Seldona]

1. I wonder if the British will really leave after June?

It is certainly sounding like they are preparing us for that.

I would not want to be a part of this mess anymore either if I had a choice.

[Capt_Nemo]

2. This shows how badly the US military is screwing up:

"Commanders have made it plain that they would not want British forces under American command in Iraq if more troops were eventually sent."

And don't forget to check today's Steve Bell cartoon. It's awesome!
Could be his best yet!

[ze_dscherman]

4. Regarding troops sent to quagmIraq, I like this one even better

http://www.guardian.co.uk/cartoons/stevebell/0,7371,1204363,00.html

[hadrons]

5. excellent cartoon

[dusty64]

3. The British ought to be

afraid of getting sucked into a quagmire and they know exactly who to thank for it.