Downing Street Says

» Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Iraq

Asked if it was felt that southern Iraq was being handed over whilst in a stable state, the PMS said that, as the Prime Minister had been saying at the weekend, we had seen a reduction of approximately 90% in violent incidents against British troops in Basra since September. At the time of the move of British troops from Basra Palace to the airport base in Basra, it was widely predicted that there would be an increase in the insurgency and violence but that had clearly not happened. As such, we were in a position to handover security responsibility to the Iraqis shortly, and we were able to do that from a position where violence against British troops had been falling.

Put that once the handover of Basra had happened things there would get worse, the PMS repeated that that had been the prediction made once we had moved our troops out of Basra Palace and that that had not materialised. This was a decision that had been taken by the Iraqi Government in consultation with us and the Americans.

Asked if the Government were happy with how we had left Maysan Province, the PMS said that we were happy with the decisions we had taken to strengthen security forces and train more army and police officers in Iraq so that the Iraqis themselves could take increasing responsibility for their own security.

1 Comment »

The White House Christmas card may be controversial on the grounds of its over-Christianity this year. But a strong White House Christmas message has gone out on Barneycam, Dubya’s dog’s videolog. No, I’m not joking. Look out on the link for a haggard Tony Blair demeaning himself still further, if that were possible, in the service of Bush. Have a paper bag handy.
http://neoclassics.blogspot.com/
Comment by George Name — 14 Dec 2007 on 8:13 pm | Link

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Iraq

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