| AP, so who knows if it's true? |
LONDON - Britain and the US are trying to build a new strategy to exit Iraq that could see British troops coming home by Christmas, a newspaper reported citing a government memo written by the defence secretary.
The Mail on Sunday reported that British Defence Secretary John Reid drafted a secret paper for Prime Minister Tony Blair outlining how most of the countryâs 8,500 troops could be sent home from Iraq within three months, with the rest by the end of the year.
| Just another staff contingency plan brought to public attention. |
The document also said the US was looking to cut back its own troop levels to 66,000, down from the 135,000 there now.
But in a statement released by Britain Defence Ministry, Reid said the document was simply one of several period updates examining possible scenarios for the war in Iraq. âWe have made it absolutely plain that we will stay in Iraq for as long as is needed,â Reid said in a statement. âNo decisions on the future force posture of UK forces have been taken.â
In a copy of the letter, portions of which were printed by the newspaper and marked âSecret - UK Eyes Only,â Reid wrote that there was a strong desire in the US military to reduce the number of its troops in Iraq and hand over security duties to Iraqi forces in 14 of the countryâs 18 provinces by the end of the year.
| Makes sense since 14 provinces are relatively calm. |
âThere is a debate between the Pentagon/CENTCOM who favor a relatively bold reduction, and MNF-I (US commanders in Iraq) whose approach is more cautious,â part of the letter reads.
| Commanders usually are, and it's a good instinct. |
Premier Silvio Berlusconi said 300 of Italyâs soldiers would start leaving in September.Reid said Britain was committed to the coalition. âWe have made it absolutely plain that we will stay in Iraq for as long as is needed,â he said in a statement. âNo decisions on the future force posture of UK forces have been taken.â
He added that it has always been the British governmentâs intent to ultimately hand over the lead in fighting in Iraq to that countryâs own forces, when they are ready to assume the responsibility. âWe therefore continually produce papers outlining possible options and contingencies. This is but one of a number of such papers produced over recent months covering various scenarios,â Reid said. âThis is prudent planning. I stress again that no decisions on the future force posture of UK forces have been taken.â
| Kos Kiddie hyperventilating begins in 5 .. 4 .. 3 .. |
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