Posted on 05/21/2004 9:21:23 AM PDT by areafiftyone
A CONTROVERSIAL move to send 3,000 British troops to Iraqi tinderbox Najaf is to be shelved.
Tony Blair believes taking control of Shia Muslims' holiest city could unleash political and public outrage and fuel demands for him to quit.
The delay emerged yesterday as the Premier refused to publicly denounce the US over Iraq, saying it would damage troop morale. Mr Blair was expected to announce the imminent departure of Marines and Paras to Najaf, HQ of radical cleric Moqtadr al-Sadr.
But a senior Army source revealed: "The Government's appetite to take on Najaf has all but disappeared. It doesn't believe it can sell it to the public.
"Three weeks ago, we were readying to go. Now nobody expects it until late summer at earliest, if ever." Though no formal decision has been taken, troops are not expected to move in until at least September.
It is understood a senior British military figure will now hold talks with US generals on Monday.
America is desperate for Britain to take over Najaf after Spain pulled out following a change of government. It originally asked for up to 22,000 more troops.
But Army chiefs had huge doubts about committing more manpower without a clear exit strategy.
They told Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon on Wednesday that fatalities could be expected. Because of disagreements in tactics, they also insisted UK soldiers must not be under direct US command.
MPs warned that committing thousands more troops to Iraq would cause rebellion among up to 100 Labour backbenchers.
Mr Blair also wants to avoid more soldiers being deployed to Iraq before local and euro elections on June 10 when the war could be a major issue.
The MoD said: "No decisions have been taken."
The Premier told Cabinet Ministers yesterday any open disagreement with the US over Iraq strategy would have a "negative impact" on coalition troops. His words were echoed by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Mr Hoon.
Michael Howard is said to have enraged the White House by accusing Mr Blair of ducking out of public confrontation with America in the tense run-up to the handover of power in Iraq on June 30.
But No 10 said: "Britain and the US share a common goal. What's the best way to achieve it - by megaphone diplomacy or discussing the way forward together?
"It's better to work out a common strategy, not least because of the impact any disagreement would have on troops."
Always trust the Mirror.../extreme sarcasm
I know I know - but sometimes I find it fun to read.
Correction: After Spain surrendered.
umm, yum yum, she's fit! :)
altho give me a hot british bird with curry and chips on the end of a saterday night pub crawl, and i'm a very happy chappy. ;)...
Why some guys pay upwards of 80 pounds for it, i will never understand,.... :s
When it usualy only cost's 'Me' the mear price of a Drink and bag of chips at the end of "GREAT! Weekend!!'.. :D
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.