UK may hand over Basra in spring

Report from the BBC

 

Here's the Telegraph version: Beckett: Basra hand-over by spring

Quote: "The Foreign Secretary told MPs that the British-run province of Maysan would be handed over in January, and that Basra could follow shortly after. "In our own area of responsibility we expect Maysan to follow in January and the progresses of the current operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province too at some point next spring," she said."

Tune in at "some point next spring" to see whether Margaret Beckett took lessons in forecasting from Michael Fish.

 

Dream on Margaret

 

Double post.

 

I'll eat my own shiite if it happens.

 

Again? I won't kiss you if you do.

 

To the Iranians?

 

Yeah fecking right. British handover of strategic areas like Basra is totally beholden to the US. If America cedes total control of Baghdad to the Iraqis, then the UK can do the same in Basra. Last time I heard there is a push to pump in more GIs into Iraq.

If anything, unless the UK totally abandons Iraq, there is no realistic chance of a drawdown in the number of UK troops.

I have said this before and I will say it again. The only way out of Iraq is going to be in a big hurry. A lot like when Saigon fell? Remember all them Hueys getting pushed overboard into the sea in the moments after the sudden realisation came that the war could not be won by guns and tanks?

I shudder at the thought of the Green Zone being overrun.

And yet, it could happen.

 

She's havin a larf.

Saying what people want to hear yet meaning none of it. She is LABOUR remember.

 

In order of probability...

1. Standard "good news" story wheeled out every so often, regardless of the truth.

2. Not what it seems. UK may "hand over" Basra but the Iraqis will say "leave your troops behind because we aren't up to the job even though we are pretending to be in charge".

3. Beginning of Dubya's "stay the course until the job is done" strategy of scrambling for the exit and pretending it has all been a success, blaming the Iraqis when it does go wrong.

4. Spontaneous peace is descending upon the Iraqi people, there are rainbows in the sky and lions and lambs are snuggling up together...too much acid in the 60s Mrs Beckett!

 

BBC news did a piece mentioning a new base out in the desert by the airport. MB was said to mean a handover of power with the troops out in a base which was less vulnerable as a backup to the Iraqis.

 

1) Hand-over Maysan in January.
2) Hand-over Basrah in the Spring.
3) Major draw-down of troop committment to Iraq, leaving a reinforced light BG as 'training' and 'support' to Iraqi Army in Shaibah or Basrah Airport.
4) Step down as PM claiming a 'success' in Iraq.
5) If it all goes pear-shaped, new PM looks bad, and will probably blame the CGS anyway.

Am I just too much of a cynic to believe that the timetable has more to do with a Blair legacy than the good of the Iraqi people...

 

What??

no more little package holidays to the market??

where else am I gonna go on me 18x24 hols??

 

Old news, guys. see these threads:

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/p=956286.html#956286

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/p=948052.html#948052

But I'd put a fiver on merkator's version.
Then you'll be able to ease the overstretch, by spending more time in AFG . . .