Posted on 12/21/2008 9:20:54 AM PST by knighthawk
The announcement that Britain is largely to close down its military role in Iraq by May 31, 2009, is welcome news to both this country and Iraq. It represents a most significant achievement after what will have been a very difficult and challenging six years.
We should remember that this saga does not start in 2003, but rather in 1990 with Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait – an act of outright international aggression. After the forcible removal of his forces from Kuwait, there followed a decade and more of brutality towards his own people and defiance of at least 16 binding resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
My purpose in writing is not to conduct yet another post-mortem of the decision to intervene militarily by the United States, the UK and some 30 other countries, but to reflect on what British forces have achieved.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Ping
What a load of dookie this article is. The Times gave a much more honest account of Britain’s legacy in Iraq:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2152167/posts
I thank them for being there, but they “Dunkirk-ed” Basra.
Well, I can’t blame the British soldier. Driving around in a Range Rover. Sending 50 troops where 500 were needed.
Basically Blair, Parliament, used these guys as living ornaments. Hung them out to dry. Abandoned them. It would of been better, and I sure the front line soldier would of gone along, if we just folded them into, and equipped and supported them in an American unit.
The British elite would of never allowed that though, as it would put THEM in a bad light.
the troops did their part. Their country, on the other hand, should be ashamed
They’ve done their job as best they can. I know most want to stay and “finish the job”, but they don’t have any say in the decision. When your civilian bosses say, “We’re done.”, there isn’t anything we can do about it.
It’ll be sad to see them go, especially as my group is probably going to be part of the bunch that relieves them. Should be interesting...
Merry Christmas FReepers!
Not, the British troops spent most of the time in garrison and not patrolling Basra. They left Basra to Iranian backed Shia militia.
That is a total lie. Where do you get your info? I cannot fathom why you would post such rubbish.
During 06 and 07 it was open war on the streets of Basra. Our forces got hundreds of the militia, but more kept coming. Read some of Michael Yon. Remember the operation to rescue some SAS undercovers who were kidnapped and about to be sent to Iran?
Please don’t post such lies about men and women who have fought and died because you asked us to. You dont lose 178 (and counting) soldiers sitting in a barracks.
Unless, you’re choosing to believe in the lies that are spread about UK forces, in which case, im wasting my breath
I wouln’t consider Dunkirk as a bad operation by we British. A ‘Herioc Failure’ was how Churchill put it I think. Rescuing most of the manpower of the Allied Expiditionary Force in a massive ground, air and sea operation made much more sense than leaving them to die on the beaches in a lost cause.
Or would you have demanded your soldiers die in France fighting a fight they couldn’t win? This was at a time when the US still wasn’t in the war, and it was a case of the UK against Fascism. So we made the best of a bad situation and did what we had to do.
Congratulations on your 5th successful war in or against Iraq in the last century.
Thanks for the ping, but man, its a tough crowd in here.
Thanks very much, you’re too kind.
During 06 and 07 it was open war on the streets of Basra. Our forces got hundreds of the militia, but more kept coming. Read some of Michael Yon. Remember the operation to rescue some SAS undercovers who were kidnapped and about to be sent to Iran?
Please don’t post such lies about men and women who have fought and died because you asked us to. You dont lose 178 (and counting) soldiers sitting in a barracks.
Unless, you’re choosing to believe in the lies that are spread about UK forces, in which case, im wasting my breath
The goal of the British strategy in Basra was to create anti-American propaganda and to contribute to the defeat of Operation Iraqi Freedom in order to advance the cause of socialistic world government.
"Under its terms, no British soldier could enter Basra without the permission of Des Browne, the Defence Secretary. By the time he gave his approval, most of the fighting was over and the damage to Britain’s reputation had already been done. "
Thank you, but five successful wars is nothing.
Do you realise that not a century has gone by in the last MILLENIUM when we have not successfully invaded France? Now why are we messing around in Iraq and Afghanistan when we can be keeping a record like that going? I mean, if we don’t get on with it we will miss our chance...there’s only 91 years left! :)
“The goal of the British strategy in Basra was to create anti-American propaganda and to contribute to the defeat of Operation Iraqi Freedom in order to advance the cause of socialistic world government.”
Yeah, and the martians have already landed, Elvis is alive and living in Sparkbrook, and theres a bridge in brooklyn I can sell you.
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