British Iraq commander says Army needs more money

[Barrett808]

British Iraq commander says Army needs more money
Sam Knight and PA News

The commander of British troops in southern Iraq today claimed underfunding and weak public support was damaging the Army.

Major General Richard Shirreff, who took over the British mission to southern Iraq this summer, said the Army was feeling the effects of a decade of underfunding and a weakening of the bond between the nation and its military. "I think the covenant is seriously out of kilter," he said.

He added: "The nation needs to understand that the quality work done by these courageous men and women out here only happens and can only continue if these people, our soldiers, are properly supported back home in terms of the support for training, infrastructure, barracks, accommodation."

"Frankly, some of these issues need solving. Many of these issues are the result of a generation of underfunding and relative neglect in political terms."

General Shirreff declined to blame the current Government or any political party for what he perceived as a lack of support. But his words closely followed those of the former head of the Army, General Sir Michael Jackson, who earlier this month criticised poor military pay and accommodation, which he described as "frankly shaming".

(more)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2520588,00.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Well what you you expect when political support is so tiny?

Blair didn't commit the Army because of a groundswell of public opinion in favor of invading Iraq, but he had the executive power to ignore that public will in favor of Bush's will. Why should anyone be surprised at the result? Blaming the British public is asking them to be good stooges. Being good stooges might be patriotic of them, and it might not, but the mere asking by a Major General is unlikely to produce that result.

[saigon68]

2. "I think the covenant is seriously out of kilter," he said.

[acmavm]

3. Steve Bell is so dead-on consistent in the way he gets to the heart

of bush** and blair and their propaganda spin. And it's cruel. Which is the only way to be since bush** and blair are basically two totally narcissistic individuals who are willing to sacrifice anyone for their 'legacies'.