UK: Despite bombs Iraq more secure

[sabra]

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/28/iraq.britain.reut/

UK: Despite bombs Iraq more secure

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) -- Britain's defense secretary said on Monday that security had improved in southern Iraq and his Iraqi counterpart predicted that formal control of another province in the region would be handed back to Iraq soon.

"I recognise there are continuing challenges and I've seen some violence over this weekend which suggests there's much more work to be done," Des Browne told a joint news conference with Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader Jassim.

"But as Prime Minister Maliki said in an interview this weekend, things are improving and the challenge is to maintain that improvement," he added.

British and Iraqi officials have said they expect Dhi Qar province, currently policed by Italians in the British-led force, to return to formal Iraqi control next month, following the return of neighbouring Muthanna in July.

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. I think he has been smoking something.

Yesterday there were something like 50 people killed in bombs.

Doesn't sound to me like things are improving much.

[gratuitous]

2. "Oh yes, there's some unpleasantness"

I mean, what with cars on the street blowing up in random places and at random times. So yes, it can upset one's afternoon tea. But we're about ready to skedaddle--I mean, "hand over control" of another province. And the locals will promptly loot our former headquarters, and those poor devils will be even worse off than they were under Saddam.

Another triumph for the "coalition"!

[rodeodance]

3. tell that to the families of the 8 US troops who dies this weekend!!

Mon Aug-28-06 07:01 AM
Original message
AP Dozens killed in Iraq; 8 U.S. troops die



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060828/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq ;_ylt=AiCyTz4NmtdA_FUlL7zCan.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OTB1amhuBHNlYwNtdHM-
Dozens killed in Iraq; 8 U.S. troops die

By ELENA BECATOROS, Associated Press Writer 10 minutes ago