Britain resists pressure to extend Iraq force

[kskiska]

Britain's Ministry of Defence is resisting US pressure to extend its sphere of military influence in Iraq to some of the most violent parts of the country, including the capital, Baghdad.

Britain is being leaned on by the US military, although no formal request has been issued, to provide a new headquarters unit in south-central Iraq to replace Spanish troops being pulled out by the new Madrid government. That would take British troops into the troubled town of Najaf, where the radical Shiite imam Moqtada al-Sadr is holed up.

Some British military figures have also been told that British forces may be asked to undertake a "hearts and minds" operation inside Baghdad, now an exclusively US sphere of influence.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said all sorts of options were being considered, but played down suggestions that a large increase in the 8000-strong British contingent was likely.

British defence sources said they were unenthusiastic about filling the vacuum created by the quicker than expected departure of Spanish troops, triggered by the election victory of the anti-war Socialist government.

more…
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/23/1082616331725.html

[MidwestTransplant]

1. That poodle won't hunt.

[jdunn]

2. Why does Tony Blur hate America?

The next time anyone at my local bar uses English on the cueball, I'm disabusing them. It's called SCREW you cod-eating, effete ponce.