Downing Street Says

Asked if he was saying that the fact that General Petraeus gave a scenario where US troops could be withdrawn by next summer, had no bearing whatsoever on the level of our troops and the possibility of withdrawing our troops, the PMS replied that the general approach that had been taken by the United States and the United Kingdom was entirely consistent. Obviously conditions in the South were different from elsewhere. We would have to make our future decisions on troop levels based on an assessment by the military of the readiness of the Iraqi security forces to take on overall responsibility for security in Basra.

Asked if there was any kind of assessment being done in the run up to the Prime Minister’s statement next month, the PMS replied that these issues were looked at on an ongoing and rolling basis.

Asked whether General Petraeus’ review would feed in to our thinking in any way in terms of the overall picture, the PMS replied that we were working very closely with the Americans, the Prime Minister had a lengthy discussions with President Bush yesterday in one of their regular video conferences, the Defence Secretary spoke to his opposite number yesterday as well, and obviously there was ongoing discussion at all levels. We would work very closely with them, but our decision in relation to the troops in Basra would be based on the assessment of our military of the conditions on the ground in Basra and the readiness of the Iraqi security forces to take on responsibility.

Asked if this was the first time the Prime Minister had spoken to the President since July, the PMS replied that there was a continuous and open channel of communication at all levels between the UK and US Government. Asked again if they had spoken in August, the PMS replied that there was ongoing contact between the UK and US. Asked repeatedly if this was the first time that they had spoken since July, the PMS replied that they had a lengthy discussion at Camp David, and they had a further lengthy discussion yesterday.

Asked who in the British Government had spoken directly with General Petraeus, the PMS replied that he did not want to comment on exactly which discussions had taken place, but there had been discussions across the board both at military and political levels between the UK and US.

Asked if he expected the Prime Minister and President Bush to talk before Thursday when the President would make his statement on Iraq, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister and the President had a lengthy discussion of all of these issues yesterday.

Asked if there had been any request from the US to stay on or to try and coordinate timings on withdrawals, the PMS replied that we acted in full consultation and full open dialogue with our US colleagues. In relation to Basra Palace for example, the US were fully consulted, there was full discussion, and they were entirely comfortable with that decision.

Asked if it would have any bearing on our military commanders if the Americans said that they would like us not to make any changes for now, the PMS replied that the decision in relation to our troops in Basra would be based on an assessment by our military commanders of the situation on the ground in Basra.

Asked if the Prime Minister’s statement to the House could be expected imminently once MPs returned, the PMS replied that we did not have an exact date for that, but we would anticipate and early statement by the Prime Minister.

Asked to characterise yesterday’s video conference between the Prime Minister and the President, the PMS replied that it was very cordial and constructive.

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» Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Iraq

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