UK troops to leave Iraq before insurgency ends

[sabra]

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060208-114600-3770r

UK troops to leave Iraq before insurgency ends

LONDON -- Britain will not wait until the insurgency is defeated before pulling its troops out of Iraq, Defense Secretary John Reid said Tuesday night.

Speaking at the Foreign Press Association in London, Reid paved the way for a "significant" reduction in troop numbers by 2007. He made clear it was ultimately up to the Iraqis to look after themselves, saying Britain could leave once the insurgency had reached a "manageable" threat level.

Reid once again vowed Britain would not "cut and run" from Iraq, but his language differed significantly from that employed in the past by U.S President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who until recently insisted the coalition would stay in the country until the insurgency was crushed.

"Our key task is not ... to defeat the insurgency ranged against Iraq," he said. "It is to ensure that Iraqis have the ability to do that."

[kenny blankenship]

1. Is this Shrub's idea to set the Shi'ites on the pesky Sunnis?

With British troops leaving the Shi'ite south who will provide security there and interpose between the two antagonistic groups? Are they trying to encourage Shi'ite militias to take control and go on the offensive?

[LynnTheDem]

2. We bombed you, we slaughtered your women & children, we destroyed

your entire nation and littered it with DU for generations to come, and we tried to rig your elections to get a US-friendly secular regime but you fucked that up yourselves and went with the radical Islamic tied to Iran regime so that's your problem, heh heh heh...and now we're kinda like out of money so hey, it's been fun! Fuck you very much, Iraq!

-George W Bush & Cabal