Britain Could Start Pulling Out of Iraq By May, Says US General

[Hissyspit]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article343401.ece

Britain Could Start Pulling Out of Iraq in May, US General Reveals
By Ben Russell and Terri Judd
The Indpendent UK

Monday 06 February 2006

- snip -

Brigadier-General Mark Kimmitt of the US Central Command said the American-led coalition would be happy to reduce troop numbers as local security forces became ready to take responsibility for security in the war-torn state, where two British soldiers were killed last week.

He spoke as speculation mounted that Britain was preparing to reduce troop numbers from May. Yesterday the Ministry of Defence said reports of a plan to start pulling 2,000 troops out in the spring were "speculative" but acknowledged the Government was likely to start reducing its commitment of 8,500 soldiers by the end of the year. General Kimmitt told the BBC's Sunday AM programme it was possible that British troop numbers could also be reduced if the Iraqi security forces were judged capable of taking charge of the country. Asked whether a British withdrawal could take place as early as next month, General Kimmitt said: "There could be. If the British forces in the south took a look at their situation in those four provinces and determine the security situation is such that they don't need to have the same number of forces in the future, then it is appropriate."

- snip -

Members of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee witnessed the poor security situation at first hand during a fact-finding mission to the country last week. Paul Keetch, a Liberal Democrat member of the committee, said: "When I went two and a half years ago to Basra we could walk around with troops in berets and some security but basically free to move around.

"When we went there last week we would not leave the base, indeed walking from building to building in the base we had to put on full body-armour. The security situation has deteriorated, there is no doubt about that. There is a real possibility that troops could come out of rural areas but the idea that we can pull out of other areas is not something commanders on the ground are thinking about."

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[LynnTheDem]

1. "The security situation has deteriorated..."

"The security situation has deteriorated..."

More of bush's PROGRESS! RAH! RAH! RAH!

Rightwingnuts; stupidest MFers on the planet.

[Greeby]

2. Trying to sneak off quietly, are we?

Whatever, as long as those guys are out of there, that's the important part

[Hissyspit]

3. kick

[Hekate]

4. Coalition of the less-and-less willing; God help our troops...

...as Bush's slapped-together "coalition" crumbles before our eyes. I really can't blame any country that wants out about now -- I just wish our own men and women could safely return -- immediately.

Hekate

[Hissyspit]

5. "Coalition of the Less-And-Less Willing" Jon Stewart should use that. n/t