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08/02/2006
Reid suggests UK troops could soon leave Iraq
Defence Secretary John Reid has suggested that UK troops could begin withdrawing from Iraq this year.
In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
The Defence Secretary said: "All of this depends on the conditions we have drawn up and the circumstances on the ground being right.
"Our commitment to Iraq and its people is unchanged and we have made significant progress."
Mr Reid laid out four conditions to be met before troops would withdraw:
Mr Reid said that the government's intention had never been to create "a mirror-image" of Britain. He said: "That would never work and it is not what the Iraqis want.
"Our purpose has been to give Iraqis the tools to build the kind of nation they want. It is not for us to say how that nation should look. That is for Iraqis to decide."
However, he outlined the "enormous progress" that has been made, including the establishment of a constitution, a fair political process, a growing economy and the creation of military forces that worked for, rather than against, law-abiding Iraqi citizens.
However, Mr Reid said that the enemies of Iraq remained "formidable" and that there was still a long way to go. He said: "Handing over security responsibility is not likely to be rapid or simple. It does not mark the end, only the beginning. The extremists will attempt to step up efforts to derail this process as it unfolds.
The Defence Secretary said that terrorists were "desperately afraid of an Iraq whose people come to see extremism as the enemy of progress, not as an answer to injustice."
However, he said: "Our key task is not, as some claim, to defeat the insurgency ranged against Iraq. It is to ensure that Iraqis have the ability to do that.
"Ironically, the only result of continued terrorist violence has been, and will be, to delay our withdrawal, not to hasten it."
Mr Reid concluded: "Iraq will not be without its problems. Nobody is really expecting us to leave behind us a trouble-free society. No such thing exists.
"The day we leave will not be the final step on the road for the new Iraq. It will be the first."
(KMcA)
In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
The Defence Secretary said: "All of this depends on the conditions we have drawn up and the circumstances on the ground being right.
"Our commitment to Iraq and its people is unchanged and we have made significant progress."
Mr Reid laid out four conditions to be met before troops would withdraw:
- The threat from insurgents needed to be reduced to a manageable level;
- Iraqi security forces needed to be more able to deal with the threat themselves;
- Local government bodies needed to be effective and receive support from central government;
- The UK government needed to be confident that they could still provide support and backup to local forces if required.
Mr Reid said that the government's intention had never been to create "a mirror-image" of Britain. He said: "That would never work and it is not what the Iraqis want.
"Our purpose has been to give Iraqis the tools to build the kind of nation they want. It is not for us to say how that nation should look. That is for Iraqis to decide."
However, he outlined the "enormous progress" that has been made, including the establishment of a constitution, a fair political process, a growing economy and the creation of military forces that worked for, rather than against, law-abiding Iraqi citizens.
However, Mr Reid said that the enemies of Iraq remained "formidable" and that there was still a long way to go. He said: "Handing over security responsibility is not likely to be rapid or simple. It does not mark the end, only the beginning. The extremists will attempt to step up efforts to derail this process as it unfolds.
The Defence Secretary said that terrorists were "desperately afraid of an Iraq whose people come to see extremism as the enemy of progress, not as an answer to injustice."
However, he said: "Our key task is not, as some claim, to defeat the insurgency ranged against Iraq. It is to ensure that Iraqis have the ability to do that.
"Ironically, the only result of continued terrorist violence has been, and will be, to delay our withdrawal, not to hasten it."
Mr Reid concluded: "Iraq will not be without its problems. Nobody is really expecting us to leave behind us a trouble-free society. No such thing exists.
"The day we leave will not be the final step on the road for the new Iraq. It will be the first."
(KMcA)
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02 December 2005
Reid visits British soldiers in Basra
Defence Secretary John Reid is visiting British forces in southeast Iraq ahead of the country’s elections in two weeks time. Mr Reid landed in Basra this morning and visited the headquarters of the 10th division of the Iraqi Army, as well as soldiers from the 1 Highlanders Battle Group, based in Basra City and troops at the Shaibah Logistics Base.
Reid visits British soldiers in Basra
Defence Secretary John Reid is visiting British forces in southeast Iraq ahead of the country’s elections in two weeks time. Mr Reid landed in Basra this morning and visited the headquarters of the 10th division of the Iraqi Army, as well as soldiers from the 1 Highlanders Battle Group, based in Basra City and troops at the Shaibah Logistics Base.
01 July 2003
Attacks on US troops continue in Iraq
The US Defence Secretary has declared that Iraq is “no new Vietnam”, but within hours of those comments a vehicle carrying US troops in Baghdad was bombed and there were two further grenade attacks on US forces.
Attacks on US troops continue in Iraq
The US Defence Secretary has declared that Iraq is “no new Vietnam”, but within hours of those comments a vehicle carrying US troops in Baghdad was bombed and there were two further grenade attacks on US forces.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
04 April 2003
Reid takes over as Leader of the House
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid has returned to the Cabinet after he was handed Robin Cook's old job as Leader of the House today. The Leader of the House portfolio became vacant after Robin Cook resigned on March 17 in protest at the launch of the war in Iraq without a second UN resolution.
Reid takes over as Leader of the House
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid has returned to the Cabinet after he was handed Robin Cook's old job as Leader of the House today. The Leader of the House portfolio became vacant after Robin Cook resigned on March 17 in protest at the launch of the war in Iraq without a second UN resolution.
22 February 2006
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
