Out of Iraq
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Out of Iraq
Sky News reporting that an announcement is imminent that will give the go-ahead for the withdrawal of the vast majority of UK forces from Iraq by mid 2009.
Very well crafted press statement. Be interesting to see whether we return to pre-TELIC level of operations (i.e maintaining overflight/overwatch with forces based outside of Iraq) or whether the 2-300 advisers is really it.
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The cynic in me sees this as someone as the treasury might.
"Ah, the MoD has one less commitment now, perhaps some gentle pruning is in order."
"Ah, the MoD has one less commitment now, perhaps some gentle pruning is in order."
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BBC Radio 4 reported this morning that as soon as the Iraqi 14th Div is stood up, we're off. 'A few hundred' trainers/advisors would be left, didn't say for how long. BBC reported that Brown expects that the mission in Basra will be over by the middle of the year. It also mentioned that the airport would be 'handed back to the Iraqis' in January and that the Americans would have to secure their logistics routes to Kuwait.
Fingers crossed the disengagement/pullout doesn't go Pete Tong.
Fingers crossed the disengagement/pullout doesn't go Pete Tong.
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An announcement in Australia to the effect that Australian troops will be out very quickly now due to the failure of some 'negotiated agreement'
'Advisors and Trainers' = Special Forces usually.
'Advisors and Trainers' = Special Forces usually.
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Anyone else notice that this announcement came out at the same time as the unemployment figures?
My cynical side reckons they needed some 'good news' to announce - hence the change from 'we'll withdraw when the conditions are right and not on some pre-determined date'
S78
My cynical side reckons they needed some 'good news' to announce - hence the change from 'we'll withdraw when the conditions are right and not on some pre-determined date'
S78
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Our illustrious leader specifically said yesterday that the personnel brought out of Iraq did not mean that an equivalent number will go to Afghanistan.
That's the decision taken, then. They are all going !
That's the decision taken, then. They are all going !
You didn't expect the 'Saviour of the World' to be telling the truth did you ? (after all, his lips were moving!) ..... another G Dubya "Mission Accomplished" moment perhaps?
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Defeat?
In The Times this week weren't we accused of being defeated in the field in Southern Iraq in 2006 by some US academic?
How will we remember Iraq and our excursion there? I feel embarassed that we bragged so much about how the UK were past masters at COIN and yet even in Northern Ireland we negotiated a peace. I have seen some talented people do some extraordinary things, but what will people remember?
How will we remember Iraq and our excursion there? I feel embarassed that we bragged so much about how the UK were past masters at COIN and yet even in Northern Ireland we negotiated a peace. I have seen some talented people do some extraordinary things, but what will people remember?
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BBC said: Several hundred trainers will remain, some working with the Iraqi navy.
BBC NEWS | Politics | UK troops to leave Iraq 'by July'
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Best the boys and girls start packing their bags and prepare to move then. I'm sure it could be 'done' in a few weeks, from planning to execution... And it'd save a whole load of people from staring at the inside of their pod for the next 6 months...
