Britain Denies Using Troops to Boost Bush's Standing [View All]

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041017/pl_nm/britain_iraq_dc&cid=615&ncid=1480

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LONDON (Reuters) - The British government rejected accusations Sunday that it might reposition British troops to more dangerous areas in Iraq (news - web sites) to boost George W. Bush's political position in the U.S. presidential election race.

Responding to reports that military chiefs are resisting U.S. requests for British troops to be sent to more dangerous areas of Iraq, Health Secretary John Reid dismissed claims a redeployment of troops would be a "political gesture."

"For people to suggest that there is some tawdry political deal here, I think, diminishes the effort that has been made by our soldiers on the ground," he told BBC television.

"There will be occasions when you are fighting in coalition when, at a given tactical level, you operate under your ally's control."