Iraq to be given control of Basra

DuH2 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Iraq to be given control of Basra

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the Iraqi province of Basra is to be handed over to Iraqi control within two weeks.
Mr Brown flew into Basra city on Sunday for a surprise visit to British troops.

He broke the news as he addressed servicemen and women at Basra air station, after holding telephone talks with Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki.

The remaining 4,500 British troops in Iraq will now focus their efforts on training local Iraqi forces.

UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.

Mr Brown told the troops: "I have just talked to Prime Minister Maliki and he asked me to pass on his thanks to you for what you have done to help rebuild the democracy of Iraq.

"It's because of all the operations we have done over the past few months that the security situation has not only improved, but he is now recommending we move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks."

"There are now 30,000 Iraqi police and armed forces. As a result of that we can move to provincial control over the next few weeks."

December had been announced as being the deadline for the handover by ministers in October.

National pride

The prime minister arrived at the base aboard an RAF Hercules under the cover of darkness.

He added: "So the great venture that started with all the difficulties we face, that cost causalities, means we have managed now to get Iraq into a far better position.

"Not that violence has ended, but we are able to move to provincial Iraqi control and that's thanks to everything you have achieved.

"I know many of you will not be home for Christmas, but I do appreciate the spirit of service that means you are serving here the national interest at Christmas time."

Mr Brown also wished the troops a happy Christmas, paid tribute to their "professionalism, courage and patriotism" and said the "whole British people" were proud of their achievements.

He then went into private talks with senior British commanders at the base, which is headquarters of the Multi-National Division South East of the international forces in Iraq.

British officials said US commanders had been fully consulted and backed the proposed handover of Basra to Iraqi control.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7135666.stm

Good job UK

Good job Iraq

Stay the Course.

From Oct-

Quote:

"We are delighted that the Government of Iraq has announced its intention to transfer security responsibility for Basra province to the Iraqi authorities in December," Mr Miliband said.

'New stage'

"We congratulate all of those who have helped achieve this, most notably British and coalition military and civilian personnel," he added.

"Their dedication and bravery have brought stability to the province and has given the Iraqi Security Forces the training, support and confidence they need to take on responsibility for the safety and security of their own people."

Mr Miliband added the UK operation in Iraq "now enters a new stage".

Following December's formal handover ceremony, UK troops intend to continue to train and mentor the Iraqi Security Forces.

"But the Iraqis will take the lead, as they have proved more than capable of doing in Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan," Mr Miliband said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7069963.stm

proof-hunter · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 03:12 PM

This is not enough for the Lefty pin heads to accept.
it's not enough for them to gain hope that their own
country can win, after all these pin heads want their
own country to fail.( which makes them enemies of the state )

In just a little bit, this thread will be full of pin head reasoning
all stating just what I said above. So let the pin head
comments begin.

.

DuH2 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 03:20 PM

They are ignoring Iraq atm or at best throwing out every negative and the kitchen sink they can find to try to get others to.

Doesn't matter..they have already failed in their efforts. Now we shall see what becomes of an Iraq the Allies did not betray and run out on.
So far with the general moves forward and the obvious military success of the past 6 months or so. Things are developing well.

One more step on the road to Victory.

DuH2 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Tree shipments to troops take root
By DAVID DISHNEAU
Associated Press Writer

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- Sprawled in his recliner, tired and achy after three days of nearly nonstop work, James Ward hardly looks like Santa Claus.

But this laid-off truck driver has just made Christmas brighter for thousands of U.S. service members overseas by mailing them miniature, live spruce trees with all the holiday trimmings.

A year after Ward started Operation Christmas Tree to cheer up his deployed stepdaughter and a few dozen of her fellow soldiers in Iraq, the project has blossomed into a national campaign that shipped 5,000 potted trees this season.

About 2,200 of the 2-foot trees - packed along with bags of colorful ornaments and battery-powered lights - were mailed Dec. 3 to individual service members, mostly in Afghanistan and Iraq, whose families paid $20 to Ward's nonprofit organization.

Some of those service members also received a batch of 50 or 60 extra trees to share with others. Other batches were sent to chaplains in the war zone to hand out to anyone in uniform who wants one.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...MPLATE=DEFAULT

Quote:

Wife takes up husband's Army enlistment
By MICHELLE ROBERTS
Associated Press Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- More than a year after Spc. Alejandro Albarran lost part of his right leg in an explosion in Iraq, he still hasn't decided whether he'll stay in the Army.

"Right now, I'm leaning against it," said the 20-year-old infantryman, looking ahead with distaste to a possible desk job.

Whatever he decides, he won't be leaving Army life behind - because his wife has enlisted to take his place in uniform.

"After everything he's gone through - and he loves the Army - he kind of inspired me," said Janay Albarran. "I made him a promise that I would finish what he started."

While he underwent five-day-a-week rehabilitation to recover his balance and strength on a prosthetic leg at an Army rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, she was in boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C., learning to shoot a rifle and stand in formation.

Janay Albarran graduated from basic training on Friday, gaining the rank of private. The couple's 2-year-old daughter is staying with a grandmother in Arizona.

Roughly 24,000 of the Army's soldiers, about 9 percent of the force, are married to other soldiers. The Army doesn't have any statistics on how many join after a spouse or family member is badly wounded in combat, but a spokeswoman, Maj. Anne Edgecomb, said she's heard of people joining after the injury or death of a sibling and at least one woman who joined after her husband was killed in combat.

"The courage of our soldiers and their families is remarkable," she said.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...MPLATE=DEFAULT

Don't have anything to do with Basra or the UK
......just nice stories highlighting "something" noble and notable.

Joker · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 04:54 PM

Hard-Driver · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 05:26 PM

THANK YOU DUH !!!!!

You have just shown exactly what the DEMOCRATS have been saying. WITHDRAW OUR TROOPS!!!.

Why you think this is some great accomplishment when the British do it, but a failure if the US does it is beyond me...

Maybe the SUCCESS IN WITHDRAWL will change your mind.

Violence has dropped by 90% in Basra once the British started withdrawing!

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...Iraq-Basra.php

Get that Duh... When the occupying forces withdraw, the violence drops. This is exactly what many who have argued for withdrawl has said. The occupation forces are DESTABILIZING... If you withdraw and actually turn Iraq over to Iraqis, then that is success and the "new way forward".

This "new way forward" that Bush is touting, i.e. the surge, does not give Iraq back to the Iraqis, and does nothing to promote long term stability.

nonsqtr · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hard-Driver";p=&quot

Violence has dropped by 90% in Basra once the British started withdrawing!

Yeah, well.... this is obvious, right? I mean, to "them", this equation isn't about terrorism, right?

Duh.....

So like, you know, if you want the infidels off your land, and you're fighting 'cause they're there in the first place, then it kinda makes sense, that when you leave, the fighting would stop. Right?

Once again... duh.....

You see, this is exactly why Bushie is such a moron, 'cause I mean, this whole 4 trillion dollar deal was completely un-necessary.....

And I mean, that's why I keep... um.... poking Duh2 in the ribs about that "winning" thing, 'cause I mean, you know, that kinda thing is just.... misguided, is all.

You "win" in a horse race, or a baseball game, or you know, a game of chess. You don't "win" in a war. Wars mainly involve a question of whose loss is greater, and who can take more of a hit and still bounce back. You know, like, oh, you think you're gonna destroy our wires? well watch this - drink dirty water for a while, and see how you like them apples.... and so it goes..... There's no "winning" in a war. None. There's only "survival".

And I never did get the sense, that "survival" was at stake, with any of this terrorism stuff, or even with Iraq - I mean, any more than "cultural survival" is at stake with the "War on Christmas" (

- yuk yuk) -

So I mean, yeah - a modicum of mutual understanding might be helpful in international relations, but I mean, if Bushie the Paranoid insists on believing he has to go around clobbering people on the head to get them to "comply", well....

All that's gonna do, is foster new generations of terrorists.

Once again, duh..... Right?

DuH2 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 07:07 PM

You and the Democrats have exactly been saying from the start... "GIVE UP!... RUN HOME!... DON'T LOOK BACK!...ITS ALL WORTHLESS!"
The War is LOST!
Up to your britches in the Reids.

Hard-Driver wanted to withdraw all troops form Basra/Iraq at the height of terrorist action there..that was "victory" to him and always has been. Merely leaving. That was the Democrats Plan(tm)

You just wanted out.

Quit trying to act like its yours now that all the effort is starting to pay off.
Daily Kos.

Violence against the Allied Military has fallen by 90% since the British initally pulled back. Thats not "violence in Basra has dropped by.."..DUH

Violence dropped enough to allow the British military to pull back to begin with!... to a great degree becasue of what they did. ..DUH

That you/democrast/far left/general anti-war crowd types would be trying to twist the successess occuring to fit your own desires..after YEARS of naysaying..is also a big old DUH

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Og-3NssNh_M

Quote:

This "new way forward" that Bush is touting, i.e. the surge, does not give Iraq back to the Iraqis, and does nothing to promote long term stability.

Funny since the stability being brought about by it is allowing Iraq to take more and more direct control of its affairs.

In terms of stability how does the poltical reconciiiation (you yourself pointed to to dismiss the Surge itself while claiming there is no poltical process..yeah) not benefit long term stability??

This is an example of the Policie you have been naysaying for years coming to fruition.

Maybe success in withdrawal in a rationale manner will make you willing to support efforts to make such withdrawals rational in other areas of Iraq.

Instead of calling for outright withdrawal no matter what the conditions are on the ground as you and the rest have been.

IOW Stay the Course!

Hard-Driver · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 08:37 PM

Your post is an incoherent ramble.

Why exactly does the British withdrawing not amount to "give up...run home"? But if the USA does the same thing, then it is? When the British announce a timeline for withdrawl, and then withdraw, you call it a success. But if the USA did the same thing, it is failure.

The British announced their withdrawl long before the surge started.. But somehow you seem to be claiming the stability from the surge makes it possible... yea, right.

Obviously it is impossible to say what "would have happened" if the other road had been taken. If the United States declared victory in Iraq 2 years ago when there were sucessful elections and laid out a reasonable timeline for transitioning Iraq back to the Iraqi's. So it is impossible to compare and contrast.

What we do know is that the road taken has been very rough. And the fact that the violence is down recently, but the political reconcilliation needed is still missing, is far from any testiment to success.

What we also do know is that the British made a commitment to withdrawl and that withdrawl has not hindered Iraq, but actually appears to have cut the violence.

gmb92 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Some seem willingly influenced by political rhetoric. Behind all of that is reality:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080601401.html

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