British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday held out the prospect of a substantial withdrawal of troops from Iraq, possibly as early as next year, when he outlined a four-point road map paving the way for an end to Britain’s involvement.
On a one-day visit to Iraq — with a heavy military presence by his side at all times — Brown declared that Iraqi forces would take over Basra airport, the main British military headquarters.
He told British soldiers that they were on the final leg of duties in Iraq in an address at the city’s airport in the sweltering afternoon heat of 52°C.
PHOTO: AP
Critics said Brown pledged to cut the number of troops last October to 2,500 by spring but yesterday there were still 4,100 holed up at the airport.
His declaration, which could lead to the bulk of British forces leaving Iraq by the time of the British general election in 2010, came 24 hours after the White House announced that the US and the Iraqi authorities had agreed on a “general time horizon” for the “further reduction of US combat forces in Iraq.”
Brown echoed the White House by refusing to be drawn on how many British troops would be withdrawn — and when.
“I am not going to set any artificial timetable,” he said.
Brown earlier underlined his determination to withdraw troops as he hailed the improved security in Iraq. British troops in the Basra area now face one major incident every six days rather than six incidents a day.
Speaking in Baghdad, Brown said: “It is certainly our intention that we reduce our troop numbers. But I am not going to give an artificial timetable at the moment.”
Brown made clear that he has his eyes firmly set on troop cuts when he outlined a four-point plan, which he described as “building blocks for the future,” designed to pave the way to Iraqi forces assuming full control.
The steps of the plan are increasing the training of Iraqi police and military forces so they can take control of security; stepping up political progress so that provincial elections are held in Iraq by the end of this year and no later than early next year; intensifying reconstruction to build on the growing strength of the Iraqi economy, which is growing at 7 percent this year compared with 1 percent last year; and creating the conditions so that the Iraqis can resume control of Basra airport — Britain’s military headquarters in Iraq — so that it can return to full civilian use.
There are 4,000 British troops stationed at Basra airport.
Brown made clear that he would decide troop numbers in London — and would not defer to the White House. He said in Baghdad he would not set any artificial timetable.
“You are now working with the Iraqi forces to train them up so that they can take over the responsibilities so that we can complete our work here in bringing Basra to democracy, security and eventual prosperity,” Brown said.
One senior British source made clear Britain believes Iraq is entering new territory after the success of the US-led “surge,” spearheaded by US General David Petraeus.
One British military source said Britain feels it is important to hand over to Iraqi security forces because the presence of British troops will soon become counter-productive.
“We need to assess when the time has come that we will actually get in the way of the Iraqi security forces. That will have consequences. Basra is not Surbiton, but great progress has been made in recent months,” the source said.
Brown’s visit to Baghdad and Basra came ahead of a statement he will make to the House of Commons tomorrow in which he will update members of parliament on Britain’s military commitment in Iraq.
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