» Wednesday, December 12, 2007Iraq
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. Briefing took place at 11:00 | Search for related news Original PMOS briefings are © Crown Copyright. Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. Click-use licence number C02W0004089. Material is reproduced from the original 10 Downing Street source, but may not be the most up-to-date version of the briefings, which might be revised at the original source. Users should check with the original source in case of revisions. Comments are © Copyright contributors. Everything else is © Copyright Downing Street Says. |
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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.
Comment by George Name — 14 Dec 2007 on 8:13 pm | Linkhttp://neoclassics.blogspot.com/