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22/11/2006
Spring transfer possible for Basra, says Beckett
British forces may be able to transfer control of Basra to Iraqi forces in Spring 2007, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.
Speaking in the Commons, Mrs Beckett said: The progress of the operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province at some point next spring."
The Foreign Secretary said that the process of transferring security to Iraqi forces was "well under way". She said that she expected Najaf to be the next province to be transferred to be transferred to Iraqi control in December.
However, Mrs Beckett said that the handover of Basra was not definite and said that troops would not leave too early, because this would make the bloodshed "even worse".
However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Mrs Beckett's comments are notable as much for what she doesn't say as for what she does. There is no indication that if control of Basra were to be handed over next spring, the deployment of British troops would be reduced.
"The government's position remains of having neither a strategy for staying or for going. We are still unduly subject to American influence."
(KMcA)
Speaking in the Commons, Mrs Beckett said: The progress of the operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province at some point next spring."
The Foreign Secretary said that the process of transferring security to Iraqi forces was "well under way". She said that she expected Najaf to be the next province to be transferred to be transferred to Iraqi control in December.
However, Mrs Beckett said that the handover of Basra was not definite and said that troops would not leave too early, because this would make the bloodshed "even worse".
However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Mrs Beckett's comments are notable as much for what she doesn't say as for what she does. There is no indication that if control of Basra were to be handed over next spring, the deployment of British troops would be reduced.
"The government's position remains of having neither a strategy for staying or for going. We are still unduly subject to American influence."
(KMcA)
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Troops Out As Iraqis Taking More Control
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Troops Out As Iraqis Taking More Control
Policing the Iraqi city of Basra is to be handed over to the local security forces. Despite failing in its goal to establish proper security there, an MPs' report has said that, even though the city is dominated by militias and the police contains "murderous" and "corrupt" elements, the UK will hand over control of Basra to Iraqi forces shortly.
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Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
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Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
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Tackling global inequality between 'rich' and 'poor' is key
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