Menu
13/10/2006
Army chief says troops should be pulled out of Iraq
The head of the British army has called for a pullout of UK troops from Iraq "sometime soon."
General Sir Richard Dannatt told the Daily Mail that planning for the post-war phase of the military offensive was based more on "optimism" than sound planning.
Sir Richard told the newspaper Britain should "gets ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates security problems".
Anti-war campaigners have praised Sir Richard's comments.
Sir Richard, who took over as the Chief of Staff six weeks ago, urged the Prime Minister Tony Blair to give up his ambition to see a liberal democracy established in Iraq and settle for a "lower ambition."
Mr Blair and the US President George W Bush both insist that troops must stay in Iraq until Iraqi security forces are able to stand up to insurgents on their own.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme Sir Richard said: "Given that we've been in Iraq for some three and a half years now, quite a long length of time, and that's put a fair pressure on ourselves - as indeed it's putting a pressure on our coalition partners - then when the mission is substantially done we should leave.
"We don't want to be there another two, three, four, five, years. We've got to think about this in terms of a reasonable length of time."
Sir Richard said that Britain had essentially overstayed its welcome in Iraq.
However Downing Street issued a statement which said: "It's important that people remember that we are in Iraq at the express wish of the democratically elected Iraqi government, to support them under the mandate of a UN resolution."
(CD/SP)
General Sir Richard Dannatt told the Daily Mail that planning for the post-war phase of the military offensive was based more on "optimism" than sound planning.
Sir Richard told the newspaper Britain should "gets ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates security problems".
Anti-war campaigners have praised Sir Richard's comments.
Sir Richard, who took over as the Chief of Staff six weeks ago, urged the Prime Minister Tony Blair to give up his ambition to see a liberal democracy established in Iraq and settle for a "lower ambition."
Mr Blair and the US President George W Bush both insist that troops must stay in Iraq until Iraqi security forces are able to stand up to insurgents on their own.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme Sir Richard said: "Given that we've been in Iraq for some three and a half years now, quite a long length of time, and that's put a fair pressure on ourselves - as indeed it's putting a pressure on our coalition partners - then when the mission is substantially done we should leave.
"We don't want to be there another two, three, four, five, years. We've got to think about this in terms of a reasonable length of time."
Sir Richard said that Britain had essentially overstayed its welcome in Iraq.
However Downing Street issued a statement which said: "It's important that people remember that we are in Iraq at the express wish of the democratically elected Iraqi government, to support them under the mandate of a UN resolution."
(CD/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 August 2009
Recovery Home For Injured Soldiers Opens
Britain's first Army recovery centre to treat injured soldiers is to be officially opened. The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, will join other servicemen to open the convalescing centre at Erskine, Edinburgh.
Recovery Home For Injured Soldiers Opens
Britain's first Army recovery centre to treat injured soldiers is to be officially opened. The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, will join other servicemen to open the convalescing centre at Erskine, Edinburgh.
03 October 2005
Boots announces £7 billion merger
Health and beauty retailer Boots has announced that it is to merge with rival company Alliance UniChem, in a deal worth £7 billion. The merger of the two companies, which will be called Alliance Boots, will create one of the largest healthcare retailers in Europe, with 2,600 stores in the UK and sales of £13 billion.
Boots announces £7 billion merger
Health and beauty retailer Boots has announced that it is to merge with rival company Alliance UniChem, in a deal worth £7 billion. The merger of the two companies, which will be called Alliance Boots, will create one of the largest healthcare retailers in Europe, with 2,600 stores in the UK and sales of £13 billion.
20 January 2009
More Family Time For Troops, Says Army Chief
The British army should be restructured to allow soldiers more time with their families, according to the head of the armed forces. General Sir Richard Dannatt said the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan have overstretched personnel, and called for almost 10,000 more troops to be recruited.
More Family Time For Troops, Says Army Chief
The British army should be restructured to allow soldiers more time with their families, according to the head of the armed forces. General Sir Richard Dannatt said the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan have overstretched personnel, and called for almost 10,000 more troops to be recruited.
22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
18 October 2011
Branson Opens World's First Space Port
Millionaire eccentric Sir Richard Branson has opened the world's first commercial space port in New Mexico. More than 800 guests watched Branson abseil from the roof of the 'Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space' port while his commercial space vehicles flew over the southern New Mexico skies during the dedication ceremony.
Branson Opens World's First Space Port
Millionaire eccentric Sir Richard Branson has opened the world's first commercial space port in New Mexico. More than 800 guests watched Branson abseil from the roof of the 'Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space' port while his commercial space vehicles flew over the southern New Mexico skies during the dedication ceremony.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A generally dry and bright day with some sunny spells. However, thicker cloud could give patchy rain at first near North Channel coasts, perhaps the odd shower breaking out in the west later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Any showers in the west soon dying out, dry for most with some clear spells. Showery outbreaks of rain could develop across parts of the south overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
