Best news I have heard in years..... B'Liar your days are numbered...

Just had the Beeb world service news on the TV, The Brit Gov is saying that "We" are there at the request of the Iraqi Government.
There was 'Support' from a US 'Commentator' who agreed that Both we and the US forces where making things more difficult in Iraq.
john
Good on ya Gen Dannert.

"We" are there at the request of the Iraqi Government.

It's happening sooner than I thought. Nice big pantomime wink to the Iraqi Government there....

I've been listening to the BBC world service radio for the last while. One of the Iraq experts they had on from London University a little earlier on said to the extent that he is generally in agreement with the General, but that the comments implying that the British forces in the South were hindering more than helping the security situation were "at best anger and frustration speaking out, and at worst outright reckless," and he strongly disagreed with that part of the assertion.

My concern from my little desk's point of view (which probably isn't much of a concern to you lads in the UK) is that I'm not convinced that the American sector is in quite the same situation as the British sector. I won't say I made friends with a lot of the Iraqis, but I did come to know the locals in my area fairly well: I would feel very badly indeed if this snowballed and eventually brought about the removal of US troops before the situation was manageable by the locals and I were to read one day that the resulting increased sectarian strife killed a number of people in Al-Shahabi. (The main town in my sector). This may be less of an issue for those who served in a large town like Basra, where I'm presuming that creating some form of personal relationship is less likely.

NTM

Originally Posted by PartTimePongo

CGS did this spontaneously? A damn fine speech, and a long overdue one, but I think CGS is safe at the moment.

Cue Blair statement on "We understand how difficult it is in Iraq"

Next, cue Iraqi Government saying "Mr. Blair , CGS is right"

Cue all the anti-war coteries spilling onto the streets in 'spontaneous' (ho-ho) protest.

Cue the Media friendly to this Government ramping up into overtime on the '10 reasons why we need to get out of Dodge el-Maysan"

"Blair then announces accelerated EXFIL for Iraq, having spoken to Military Commanders and the democratic government of Iraq"

Or do you think we can afford to fight two wars at once? I think this statement is 'authorised' and it's the get out of Iraq card Blair and the parsimonious Scot are looking for.
...

PTP, you've been in the poppy fields again haven't you.

This is not going to happen for a number of reasons.

- George Bush wouldn't like it - and we know who really runs the country.
- A unilateral British pullout would give the insurgents a victory
- Without foreign military and political support, the current regime in Iraq will not survive. Does anyone really think that any situation which would replace them would be in the long term interests of this country?
- Great Britain is not Spain

If the CGS did this deliberately, he is taking a huge risk, or maybe he's been spending too much time on Arrse.

And to you tossers earlier, grow up. Most of the country can't tell the difference between a soldier in Iraq/AFG and Johnny Rambo in his latest Hollywood kill-em-all and most of them don't care.

PB

Originally Posted by Letterwritingman

His outspoken comments on an unpopular war not withstanding, this bit niggles me a little:

"He is considering changing tours of duty in war zones from six months to four months and planning to make Britain the home base for an expeditionary force, so pulling back from places such as Germany."

Other than that particular qoute I am sure he'll be relieved to hear he has my respect (at the moment).
_________________

I hate to qoute myself and much though I admire the General for his comments today.....he won't cost much when he's gone.......however if he reduces tour length from 6 to 4 months he saves Labour a load of dosh.

Smoke and Mirrors, what was that Russian name for the Political strategy that was partially named 'Glasnot, Peristroika'?

I've just read it in the Times. BZ to him. My one caveat is that by diverting his focus from Iraq and mentioning a failure, in his opinion, of the Government to back Christian moral values in order to counter a perceived threat from Islam, he will allow the technocrats to easily discredit him and portray him as either prejudiced or unbalanced. He should have focussed upon Iraq only! Let us hope the technocrats avoid this tactic.

No PB , not on drugs.

Just totally weary and cynical at this Government's spin and smoke and mirrors , that when the CGS stands up and says this , without swift and immediate reprisal , I think eh? I don't disagree, I think it's bloody brilliant a CGS gets up and says "For my lads". I just wonder how it's going to be worked/spun etc etc.

The 'Cues' I put in , are the progression of events, I didn't state a timescale.

George Bush wouldn't like it - and we know who really runs the country.

I think after the mid-terms , his opinion is going to matter a lot less, and the opposition are going to be fangs out and waiting. Just look at the Korea and Lebanon fiascos , never mind cancerous ulcer that is Iraq.. To describe this administration as being viewed as "The boys that cried wolf" is being kind, and that's about how seriously other nations in the UN are taking the USA and Britain right now

A unilateral British pullout would give the insurgents a victory

That would depend on who these insurgents are? We've pulled out of two other territories, and I don't see jubilant Insurgent whooping and hollering, I understand the new model Iraqi Army is getting to grips with looking after it's own people.

Without foreign military and political support, the current regime in Iraq will not survive. Does anyone really think that any situation which would replace them would be in the long term interests of this country?

How are you so sure it won't? The rest of your statment imples we have to sytay there permanently, because Iraqi's are incapable of self-determination.

Great Britain is not Spain

No we're not. What benefits exactly are we getting from our presence in Iraq?

Thought you might "enjoy" this dubious comment posted by someone on the BBC website:

Added: Thursday, 12 October, 2006, 22:35 GMT 23:35 UK

I think the General should have gotten permission from the US before he made his comments. This does not help. He should be replaced.

John, New Hampshire, USA

Originally Posted by Letterwritingman

Smoke and Mirrors, what was that Russian name for the Political strategy that was partially named 'Glasnot, Peristroika'?

Maskirovka.