Posted on 12/17/2002 4:00:50 PM PST by blam
UK task force to head for Iraq in four weeks
By Kim Sengupta
18 December 2002
A massive British task force will be heading for Iraq within four weeks even if there is no proof that Saddam Hussein's government is in material breach of the UN resolution on weapons of mass destruction.
More than 40,000 Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel, as well as about 100 tanks, will contribute to a US-led coalition army of more than 250,000, which could go into action as early as the end of next month.
Senior defence officials disclosed yesterday that the deployment was unlikely to wait for evidence that the Iraqis were trying to use subterfuge in their weapons programmes.
A large force parked on Iraq's borders would have a "coercive and persuasive" effect on Baghdad, officials said. And since Iraq had already made its "full declaration" to the UN, the troops were likely to be used for a military strike.
The Ministry of Defence said preparations for a conflict had reached their final stages and contracts for charter ships to carry troops and equipment had already been awarded.
Military units in Britain and overseas have been issued with orders bringing forward their "notice to move" into action and reservists have been told that call-up papers will be issued soon. The Army's main tanks, Challenger IIs, were being refitted for use in the desert and would be ready for the hostilities, a senior Army source said. Specialist equipment, including for chemical and biological warfare, is being gathered and checked. The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal will be in the Gulf next month for exercises, supported by a destroyer, a frigate and two T-class submarines.
Washington will have its full response to the Iraqi weapons dossier by the end of the week, a senior White House official said. Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, said: "We said at the very beginning that we approached it with scepticism, and the information I've received so far is that scepticism is well-founded." Downing Street said Britain was unlikely to give its response to the report until after Christmas.
Turkey is understood to be planning to send tens of thousands of soldiers into northern Iraq if the US attacks through the north.
Senior intelligence and military sources say the mission would be aimed at preventing a Kurdish state and stopping a possible flood of refugees.
About 4,000 Turkish troops, including engineers, have already been sent to the rugged, mountainous border region.
Washington has apparently asked for Turkey's permission to allow thousands of US soldiers through the country into Iraq if there is a war.
Turkish military officials have said that if there is an attack through the north, Turkey plans on sending its own soldiers into the region.
The Hurriyet newspaper says that Turkey is planning to deploy between 65,000 to 70,0000 troops in northern Iraq if there is a US assault from the north.
A senior intelligence official says Turkey is concerned that if Iraq disintegrates, Iraqi Kurds could seize the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk.
Mosul is a key regional centre and Kirkuk is home to major oil fields. Control of those cities would make the Kurds a significant regional power.
It's likely that Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq would secure the area, but would not take part in fighting against Iraqi troops.
Story filed: 17:24 Tuesday 17th December 2002
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